Le Mali (anthem)

Infobox Anthem
title = Le Mali
english_title = Mali


image_size =
caption =
prefix = National
country = MLI
author = Seydou Badian Kouyaté
lyrics_date =
composer = Banzoumana Sissoko
music_date =
adopted = 1962
until =
sound =
sound_title =

"Le Mali" (popularly known as "Pour l'Afrique et pour toi, Mali" -- French: "For Africa and for you, Mali" or "A ton appel Mali" -- French: "At your call, Mali") is the national anthem of Mali. The words were written by Seydou Badian Kouyaté and the music was by Banzoumana Sissoko. Adopted as the national anthem in 1962, its themes are patriotism, national, and African unity. It states the willingness of the people of Mali to lay down their lives for their nation and for liberty. A common theme throughout the song is the desire to strive for a united Africa. It's music is a traditional European style military march. [Recorded version at the site of the [http://region.segou.net/hymneparoles.htm Assemblée Régionalede Ségou] ]

It was officially adopted less than a year after independence, by "loi n° 62-72 du 9 août 1962". It is traditionaly played at state ceremonies by the band of the "Garde Républicaine" of the Armed Forces of Mali. The Malian Young Pioneer movement of the 1960s translated the anthem in the Bambara language for its rallies.

Lyrics

The first verse begins:

:A ton appel Mali:Pour ta prospérité:Fidèle à ton destin:Nous serons tous unis:Un Peuple un But une Foi:Pour une Afrique Unie...

Translated as::At your call, Mali:for your prosperity:Loyal towards your destiny:we will be all united,:One people, one struggle, one faith,:For African unity...

The chorus is as follows:

:Pour l'Afrique et pour toi, Mali,:Notre drapeau sera liberté.:Pour l'Afrique et pour toi, Mali,:Notre combat sera unité.:Ô Mali d'aujourd'hui:Ô Mali de demain:Les champs fleurissent d'espérance:Les curs vibrent de confiance

Translated as::For Africa and for you, Mali,:Our banner shall be liberty.:For Africa and for you, Mali,:Our fight shall be for unity.:Oh, Mali of today,:Oh, Mali of tomorrow,:The fields are flowering with hope:And hearts are thrilling with confidence.

References

* [http://www.koulouba.pr.ml/spip.php?article93&calendrier_mois=9&calendrier_annee=2008 Presidency of Mali: Symboles de la République, L’Hymne National du Mali] : history and lyrics, updated 13 June 2003.