Oh, Beautiful Virgin Islands
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| Lyrics | Ayana Hull, 2012 |
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| Music | Ayana Hull and Kareem-Nelson Hull, 2011 |
| Adopted | 2013 |
"Oh, Beautiful Virgin Islands" is the official territorial song of the Virgin Islands (often called the British Virgin Islands or BVI). The song was composed by the brother and sister team, Kareem Nelson Hull and Ayana Hull, both Virgin Islanders. The song was adopted as the territorial song by resolution of the House of Assembly of the Virgin Islands on 24 July 2012. As a British Overseas Territory, the Virgin Islands retains "God Save the Queen" as its official national anthem.
The following are the lyrics of the Territorial Song of the Virgin Islands:
Out of the huts of history’s pain
Our ancestors bled and died!
But with strength and will power we overcame
To restore Beautiful Virgin Islands pride!
To preserve our beauty we devised a plan
To retain ownership of your precious lands!
Educating our people is the golden key
To maintain the success of this Territory!
We shall protect your bountiful shores
And uphold your dignity!
We shall fight to preserve your culture
Your splendour and integrity!
And we shall never fail to understand
How blessed we are to possess this land!
So we shall unite standing proud and tall
Let none divide us, lest we fall!
Chorus
Oh how radiant are your daughters!
And how wealthy are your sons!
Your beaches boast your beauty!
And your success is second to none!
Green and brilliant are your hillsides!
They replenish our hopes and pride!
Oh Beautiful Virgin Islands!
Your qualities can never be denied!
May God richly bless this country!
May we ask three things of thee…
Courage for our great leaders
That they may rule our destiny!
We ask for wisdom for our people
That we may live in harmony!
And understanding for children
So they may cherish this legacy!
Chorus
The Virgin Islands Minister for Education and Culture, Myron Walwyn, announced in December 2011 that the BVI government would hold a "Territorial Song and Dress Competition". Walwyn explained that his government wished to adopt a "territorial song and dress that embodies who we are as a people" and that would "infuse Virgin Islands pride and provide a greater sense of identity". The minister acknowledged that the former government had begun a similar process in 2005. The minister added that the "new process will allow for entries from a wider base and give previous submissions the opportunity to redefine and submit their work".
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Wikipedia