O Sweet Saint Martin's Land
This article needs additional citations for verification. (April 2021) |
Regional anthem of Saint-Martin Sint Maarten | |
Lyrics | Gerard Kemps, 1958 |
---|---|
Music | Gerard Kemps, 1958 |
Audio sample | |
"O Sweet Saint Martin's Land" (Instrumental)
|
"O Sweet Saint Martin's Land" is the bi-national song[1] of Saint Martin/Sint-Maarten island, an island divided between the French Republic and the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
This full original version was written by Gerard Kemps in 1958.[2]
Creation[]
Many years ago, Father Gerard Kemps, after being appointed as priest for the Catholic Church of French St-Martin in 1954, felt compelled to compose lyrics and a melody to sing of the sweetness, the grace, and the incomparable beauty of the land that was unfolding before his eyes. In 1958, Father Gerard Kemps created "O Sweet Saint Martin's Land". Because of the message the lyrics conveyed and the melody that carried the tune, it served the purpose of a national song.
In 1984, on the occasion of the Queen's Birthday, Father Kemps was knighted in the Order of Orange-Nassau.
Although there are some now on St. Martin who are unaware of Father Kemps, his legacy lives on in the St. Martin's song.
Audio[]
- A wide-hole 7-inch vinyl record[3] (made in the Netherlands) was issued by Father Kemps & the Marigot Catholic Church choir.
Lyrics[]
Hereafter : The various lyrics of the O Sweet Saint Martin's Land song (in English, French and Dutch).
Translation of the French version into English | ||
in English | in French | |
Where over the world, say where, |
Trouvez-moi une perle si chère, |
Find me a pearl so dear, |
References[]
- ^ [1][dead link]
- ^ "CIA World Factbook – Saint Martin". Cia.gov. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
- ^ Text and melodies : Rev. G. Kemps C.S. SP.
Eindredaktie in samen werking met Tony Vissenberg.
Originele opname : Arno Peterson St.Marteen with the R.C. Choir of Marigot.
Eindbewerking : Studio Theelen, Munstergeleen Holland.
Soloists : Rev. Kemps x Hélène. Jacket design : Jesus x Tony
External links[]
- O Sweet Sint Maarten Land in the Official Website of the Government of Sint Maarten (in English)
- O Sweet Sint Maarten Land on YouTube.
- North American anthems
- National symbols of Sint Maarten
- National symbols of the Collectivity of Saint Martin
- Saint Martin culture
- 1958 songs
- French anthems
- Dutch anthems