Salut à toi, pays de nos aïeux

Terre de nos aïeux
English: Land of our forefathers

National anthem of
 Togo

Lyrics Alex Casimir-Dosseh
Music Alex Casimir-Dosseh
Adopted 1960

"Terre de nos aïeux" (Land of our forefathers) is the national anthem of Togo. The words and music were written by Alex Casimir-Dosseh, and was the national anthem upon independence in 1960-1979. From 1979-1992 it was replaced by a different anthem. It was readopted from 1992 onwards.

Lyrics

French lyrics English translation
Salut à toi pays de nos aïeux,
Toi que les rendait forts,
Paisibles et joyeux,
Cultivant vertu, vaillance,
Pour la prospérité
Que viennent les tyrans,
Ton cœur soupire vers la liberté,
Togo debout, luttons sans défaillance,
Vainquons ou mourons, mais dans la dignité,
Grand Dieu, toi seul nous a exaltés,
Du Togo pour la prospérité,
Togolais viens, bâtissons la cité.
Dans l’unité nous voulons te servir,
C’est bien là de nos cœurs,le plus ardent désir,
Clamons fort notre devise,
Que rien ne peut ternir.
Seul artisan de ton bonheur, ainsi que de ton avenir,
Brisons partout les chaînes de la traîtrise,
Et nous te jurons toujours fidélité,
Et aimer servir, se dépasser,
Faire encore de toi sans nous lasser,
Togo chéri, l’or de l’humanité.
Salut, salut à l'Univers entier
Unissons nos efforts sur l'immense chantier
D'où naîtra toute nouvelle
La Grande Humanité
Partout au lieu de la misère, apportons la félicité.
Chassons du monde la haine rebelle
Finis l'esclavage et la Captivité
A l'étoile de la liberté,
Renouons la solidarité
Des Nations dans la fraternité
Hail to thee, land of our forefathers,
Thou who made them strong,
Peaceful and happy,
Men who for posterity,
Cultivated virtue and bravery.
Even if tyrants shall come,
Thy heart yearns towards freedom.
Togo arise! Let us struggle without faltering.
Victory or death, but dignity.
God almighty, Thou alone,
Hast made Togo prosper.
People of Togo arise! Let us build the nation.
To serve thee in unity
Is the most burning desire of our hearts.
Let us shout aloud our motto
That nothing can tarnish.
We the only builders of thy happiness and of thy future,
Everywhere let us break chains and treachery,
And we swear to thee for ever faith,
Love, service, untiring zeal,
To make thee yet, beloved Togo,
A golden example for humanity.
Hail, hail to the entire Universe
Let us unite our efforts on this immense building site
Whence will be reborn anew
Great Humanity.
Everywhere, instead of misery, let us bring happiness.
Let us chase from the world unruly hatred.
It's over with slavery and Captivity.
At the star of liberty,
Let us renew the solidarity
Of the Nations in fraternity.


External links

Audio files