The National Anthem

Forged from the love of liberty,
In the fires of hope and prayer,
With boundless faith in our destiny
We solemnly declare.
Side by side we stand
Islands of the blue Caribbean Sea,
This our native land
We pledge our lives to thee.
Here every creed and race,
Find an equal place,
And may God bless our nation.
Here every creed and race,
Find an equal place,
And may God bless our nation.

The National Anthem of Trinidad and Tobago. Written by Patrick (Pat) S. Castagne, originally for the West India Federation, but adopted for our independence from Britain as of August 31^st 1962.

This link gives a traditional version of the Anthem (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjFsGc_UFzg) , but it is sung by all in many different versions. For a version in classical and our national instrument see this link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LstT1EmerKA) and a more contemporary musical at (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jamvJbRx0eo) many more can be seen on Youtube.

What really is an “anthem”? Anthems came from uplifting, religious songs, such as the Psalms etc. it is a song of celebration and usually for a distinct group.  

We sing our anthem (especially when abroad) but do we really pay cognisance to the powerful messages that are embodied it words? Is it just a song that the teachers make children sing in school or is it a template for us to live by? Someone please help me to understand so I can believe it when ‘we’ say we are ‘Trini to de Bone’!