Salut à toi, pays de nos aïeux

"Terre de nos aïeux" (English: "Land of our forefathers") is the national anthem of Togo. The words and music were written by Alex Casimir-Dosseh,[1] and it was the national anthem from independence in 1960 until 1979. In 1979 it was replaced in its capacity by a different composition created by the party of the Rally of the Togolese People. It was readopted in 1992.

Terre de nos aïeux
English: Land of our forefathers
National anthem of  Togo
LyricsAlex Casimir-Dosseh, 1960
MusicAlex Casimir-Dosseh, 1960
Adopted1960
Readopted1992
Relinquished1979
Audio sample
"Salut à toi, pays de nos aïeux" (instrumental)
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Lyrics
French lyrics Ewe lyrics[2] English translation
Salut à toi pays de nos aïeux,
Toi qui les rendait forts,
Paisibles et joyeux,
Cultivant vertu, vaillance,
Pour la prospérité
Que viennent les tyrans,
Ton cœur soupire vers la liberté,
Togo debout, luttons sans défaillance,
Vainquons ou mourons, mais dans la dignité,
Grand Dieu, toi seul nous a exaltés,
Du Togo pour la prospérité,
Togolais viens, bâtissons la cité.
Dans l’unité nous voulons te servir,
C’est bien là de nos cœurs,le plus ardent désir,
Clamons fort notre devise,
Que rien ne peut ternir.
Seul artisan de ton bonheur, ainsi que de ton avenir,
Brisons partout les chaînes de la traîtrise,
Et nous te jurons toujours fidélité,
Et aimer servir, se dépasser,
Faire encore de toi sans nous lasser,
Togo chéri, l’or de l’humanité.
Salut, salut à l'Univers entier
Unissons nos efforts sur l'immense chantier
D'où naîtra toute nouvelle
La Grande Humanité
Partout au lieu de la misère, apportons la félicité.
Chassons du monde la haine rebelle
Finis l'esclavage et la Captivité
A l'étoile de la liberté,
Renouons la solidarité
Des Nations dans la fraternité.
Hail to thee, land of our forefathers'
Thou who made them strong,
Peaceful and happy,
Cultivating virtue and bravery
For prosperity.
Even if tyrants shall come,
Thy heart yearns towards freedom.
Togo arise! Let us fight without faltering.
Victory or death, but in dignity.
God almighty, Thou alone,
Hast made Togo prosper.
People of Togo arise! Let us build the nation.
To serve thee in unity
Is the most burning desire of our hearts.
Let us shout aloud our motto
That nothing can tarnish.
We the only builders of thy happiness and of thy future,
Everywhere let us break chains and treachery,
And we swear to thee for ever faith,
Love, service, untiring zeal,
To make thee yet, beloved Togo,
A golden example for humanity.
Hail, hail to the entire Universe
Let us unite our efforts on this immense building site
Whence will be reborn anew
Great Humanity.
Everywhere, instead of misery, let us bring happiness.
Let us chase from the world unruly hatred.
It's over with slavery and captivity.
At the star of liberty,
Let us renew the solidarity
Of the Nations in fraternity.

History

Rally of the Togolese People-era national anthem

During the Third Republic, the name of the national anthem was changed to "l'UNITÉ NATIONALE".[3] This was the state anthem written by the party of Rally of the Togolese People, that, between 1979 and 1992, replaced "Terre de nos aïeux". It was replaced by the old anthem in 1992, due to concerns that patriotism was equated with loyalty to the Rally.:

French lyrics Ewe lyrics English translation
Écartons tout mauvais esprit qui gêne l'unité nationale.
Combattons-le tout comme l'impérialisme.
Les règlements de compte, la haine et l'anarchie
Ne font que freiner la révolution.
Si nous sommes divisés, l'ennemi s'infiltre
Dans nos rangs pour nous exploiter.
Refrain:
A l'Union, l'Union, l'Union,
Oh, Togolais!
Nos ancêtres nous appellent.
La Paix, la Paix, la Paix,
Oh, Togolais!
Nos aïeux nous l'ordonnent.
N'oublions pas du tout l'appel historique du 30 août 69.
Écoutons-le retentir à jamais.
Notre voie de salut c'est le Rassemblement,
Rassemblement de tous les Togolais
Pour la grande victoire. Togolais debout!
Portons haut le flambeau de l'Union!
Refrain
Écartons le mauvais esprit qui gêne l'Unité africaine.
Écartons-le tout comme l'impérialisme.
Les coups de canons et les coups de fusils
Ne font que freiner l'élan de l'Afrique.
De notre désunion l'impérialisme profite,
Profite bien pour nous opposer.
Refrain
La Paix, la Paix, la Paix,
Oh, Dieu! La Paix,
La Paix pour l'Afrique!
La Paix, la Paix, la Paix,
Oh, Dieu! La Paix,
La Paix pour l'Afrique!
Let us dismiss all the evil spirits that hinder national unity.
Let us fight it as the imperialism.
The settling of accounts, hatred and anarchy
Merely stop the revolution.
If we are divided, the enemy infiltrates
In our ranks to exploit us.
Chorus:
To the Union, Union, Union,
Oh, Togo!
Our ancestors call us.
Peace, Peace, Peace,
Oh, Togo!
Our forefathers instructed it us.
Let's not forget all of the historic appeal of 30 August 69.
Let's listen to the sound forever.
Our way of salvation is the Rally,
Rally of all the Togolese
For the great victory. Togo arise!
Carry the torch of the Union!
Chorus
Rule out the evil spirit that hinders African Unity.
The depart-like imperialism.
The cannon shots and the shots
Just slow the impetus of Africa.
Our disunity's imperialism profits,
Many benefits to oppose.
Chorus
Peace, Peace, Peace,
Oh, God! Peace,
Peace for Africa!
Peace, Peace, Peace,
Oh, God! Peace,
Peace for Africa

References
  1. "Notre devoir de souvenir: Alex Casimir et Robert Casimir Dosseh-Anyron". September 2018.
  2. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BH-XYzzgHX0/TE8V6i8zIcI/AAAAAAAABcM/yuBSt72ES9I/s1600/togo+anthem.jpg
  3. Constitution de la IIIe République Togolaise 1979, Art. 1: "L'hymne nationale est : < l'UNITÉ NATIONALE >."
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