La Congolaise

La Congolaise

English: The Congolese
National anthem of  Republic of the Congo
Lyrics	Jacques Tondra and Georges Kibanghi
Music	Jean Royer and Joseph Spadilière
Adopted	1959, 1991

"La Congolaise" (The Congolese) is the national anthem of the Republic of the Congo. The anthem was adopted upon independence in 1959, replaced in 1969 by Les Trois Glorieuses, but reinstated in 1991. The lyrics were written by Jacques Tondra and Georges Kibanghi, and the music was composed by Jean Royer and Joseph Spadilière.^[1]

Lyrics

French lyrics

English translation

En ce jour le soleil se lève Et notre Congo resplendit. Une longue nuit s'achève, Un grand bonheur a surgi. Chantons tous avec ivresse Le chant de la liberté. Refrain : Congolais, debout fièrement partout, Proclamons l'union de notre nation, Oublions ce qui nous divise, Soyons plus unis que jamais, Vivons pour notre devise: Unité, travail, progrès! Vivons pour notre devise: Unité, travail, progrès! Des forêts jusqu'à la savanne, Des savannes jusqu'à la mer, Un seul peuple, une seule âme, Un seul cœur, ardent et fier, Luttons tous, tant que nous sommes, Pour notre vieux pays noir. Refrain Et s'il nous faut mourir, en somme Qu'importe puisque nos enfants, Partout, pourront dire comme On triomphe en combattant, Et dans le moindre village Chantent sous nos trois couleurs. Refrain

On this day the sun rises And our Congo stands resplendent. A long night is ended, A great happiness has come. Let us all, with wild joyfulness, sing The song of freedom. Chorus: Arise, Congolese, proud every man, Proclaim the unity of our nation. Let us forget what divides us And become more united than ever. Let us live our motto: Unity, work, progress. Let us live our motto: Unity, work, progress. From the forest to the bush, From the bush to the ocean, One people, one soul, One heart, ardent and proud. Let us all fight, every one of us, For our black country. Chorus And if we have to die, What does it really matter? Our children Everywhere will be able to say how Triumph comes through battle, And in the smallest village Sing beneath our three colours. Chorus

References

1. ^ La Semaine africaine 378, 29th November 1959, cited by Silvère NGOUNDOS IDOURAH and Nicole DOCKES-LALLEMENT, Justice et pouvoir au Congo-Brazzaville, 1958-1992, la confusion des rôles, L'Harmattan, Paris, 2001, ISBN 274751319X, 9782747513197