O Sweet Saint Martin's Land
Sint Maarten is a country within the Kingdom of Netherlands. It shares an island in the Caribbean Sea with France. The French part is called Saint Martin.
"O Sweet Saint Martin's Land" is an unofficial anthem for both the Dutch and French parts of the island. There are two versions of this song, one in English and one in French with a different tune.
O Sweet Saint Martin's Land
Traditional Song
Where over the world, say where,
You find an island there,
So lovely small with nations free
With people French and Dutch
Though talking English much,
As thee Saint Martin in the sea?
(Chorus)
O sweet Saint Martin's Land
So bright by beach and strand
With sailors on the sea and harbors free,
Where the chains of mountains green
Variously in sunlight sheen
Oh I love thy Paradise,
Nature beauty fairly nice,
Oh I love thy Paradise,
Nature beauty fairly nice.
How pretty between all green
Flamboyants* beaming gleam
Of flowers red by sunlight set
Thy cows and sheep and goats
In meadows or on the roads
Thy donkeys keen I can't forget.
Thy useful birds in white
Their morn and evening flight
Like aircrafts-wings in unity
Their coming down for food
Then turning back to roost
Bring home to me their harmony.
Saint Martin I like thy name
In which Columbus fame
And memories of old are closed
For me a great delight
Thy Southern Cross the night
May God the Lord protect thy coast!
Notes
*Flamboyants is an ornamental flowering tree. (See Photo)
Comments
This song was written in 1958 by Gerard Kemps.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Thanks!
Thanks and Acknowledgements
Image of Flamboyants Tree: "Royal Ponciana" by Nicolasroe - Photography Previously published: Nil. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
