National Anthem of Rhodesia (1974-1979) - Rise, O Voices of Rhodesia

Requested by Nirad802
audio by _wolf
"Rise, O Voices of Rhodesia" (or "Voices of Rhodesia") was the national anthem of the unrecognised state of Rhodesia (renamed Zimbabwe in 1980) between 1974 and 1979. The tune was that of "Ode to Joy", the Fourth Movement from Ludwig van Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, which had been adopted as the official European Anthem by the Council of Europe in 1972 (it remains Europe's anthem today). The music used in Rhodesia was an original sixteen-bar arrangement by Captain Ken MacDonald, the bandmaster of the Rhodesian African Rifles. A national competition was organised by the government to find an appropriate set of lyrics to match the chosen tune, and won by Mary Bloom of Gwelo.
In the fallout from Rhodesia's Unilateral Declaration of Independence from Britain on 11 November 1965, the country still claimed loyalty to Queen Elizabeth II as its professed head of state, and so retained "God Save the Queen" as its national anthem. With Rhodesia's reconstitution in 1970 as a republic, however, the royal anthem was dropped along with many other references to the monarchy. The Republic of Rhodesia lacked a national anthem until it adopted "Rise, O Voices of Rhodesia" in 1974. The national anthem lost its legal status in December 1979, when the UK took interim control of the country pending its internationally recognised independence as Zimbabwe five months later. Rhodesia's use of the well-known Beethoven tune has since caused the playing of "Ode to Joy" to be controversial in modern-day Zimbabwe.

[@crown0191]

Never thought I’d hear a rendition of Ode to Joy with 60’s/70’s pop-rock instruments, bagpipes, and lyrics about Rhodesia.

[@thesmithersy]

the wonders of history

[@smudgealdrin1512]

You can hear it in Brussels any time you want . When the eu announced a "national" anthem ... I did think I have heard this before.

[@gubruikertje]

@@smudgealdrin1512 I mean, every European knows Ode an die Freude. One of the reasons why it's the perfect anthem for both the EU and the council of Europe.

[@redsimonyt]

@@gubruikertje Sure, these unelected bureaucrats would love to have their European superstate.

[@gubruikertje]

@@redsimonyt I have no idea how that is related to my comment. Maybe keep your criticism apart from the music?

[@elverdavin7707]

If Rhodesia still exist it will be among the best Country in technology and development in Africa

[@pedrocunha7280]

Rhodesia fought in one war and lost

[@ctoid]

It would be South Africa, if ANC didn't ruin the country in just a few years

[@japanfanatic1415]

Hmm I wonder why

[@leomarsubala115]

Became australia and canada of africa also good opportunity for overseas foreign workers and Investors.

[@vaps5662]

Listening to it after Mugabe dead

[@springcomesagain4355]

Estonian Nationalist Yessss lad

[@jephthaholt]

MZRA!!! (make zimbabwe Rhodesia again!)

[@loglad5394]

Same brother

[@robbiemcgowan3670]

Same

[@alkalinelemons9239]

Tere! Didn't know id be meeting an Estonian here!

[@flamelily8750]

I am a third generation Rhodesian as my parents and grandparents were born and raised in Rhodesia.

[@spacechimp3199]

God bless

[@veronicalake4140]

Where are you living now.

[@LaneCorbett]

To the Liberation of your homeland

[@monkey7072]

I spent three months in Rhodesia in 1977 what an eye-opener!, the best time of my life the Rhodesians are the salt of the earth, no animosity towards me as a Brit, welcomed everywhere I wasn`t happy when my time was up and had to leave, I had one regret"I wasn`t born Rhodesian" hold your head up high you come from the best in humanity has to offer.

[@atlasoftartarus]

I am so sorry for your loss

[@AuroraBorehalis]

My mom's birth place! Rhodesians Never Die.

[@brianbaumann5389]

When people ask you what ethnicity you are I hope you answer: Let me tell you the story of a few hard men in short shorts.

[@u.h.forum.]

@@brianbaumann5389 “hard men in short shorts” has many different meanings

[@LaneCorbett]

"Have you ever heard the Tragedy of Rhodesia? I thought not, it's not a story western education would tell you!"

[@monkey7072]

@@u.h.forum. Not if you have had a social visit from them in the bush? it was only the hardmen in shorts that were left standing.

[@Sir_TophamHatt]

@@LaneCorbett well said lol

[@jephthaholt]

MUGABE IS DEAD!!!! RISE RHODESIA RISE AGAIN!!!

[@Canada1994]

I knew he was overthrow but I didn't know he was dead

[@documentationslave397]

Justin He died last month lmao he got overthrown a year ago.

[@Dragon_W0LF]

Zimbabwe will be Rhodesia Again it’s only a matter of time.

[@kingsman4628]

@Svarteyg The Coniugator Rhodesia never die!

[@paolirejosef3392]

One day my friend

[@WolffenBreon]

The only nation that deserves to be recognized by Beethoven's music.

[@straytonox1492]

xd

[@toyotacorollamerchant]

Megabased

[@NoName-hg6cc]

EU? Indeed. Rhodesia is trash

[@vexillopath947]

this assertion is further entrenched by the fact that before fighting the commies in Africa, many Rhodesians fought and killed lots and lots of nazis in Europe.

[@TomasFunes-rt8rd]

@@vexillopath947 And also by the fact that the black population deemed the much-maligned nation to be worth fighting FOR, tooth and nail !! Its armed forces were largely black, despite the myths...!

[@kubix_gaming1222]

Rhodesia: Can i copy your homework? Beethoven: Ok, but make sure its not similar Rhodesia: *Copies the whole thing without changing*

[@millathossain8801]

[ European Union sweating profusely ]

[@NoName-hg6cc]

​@@millathossain8801Beethoven was European and pro united Europe

[@deutschween]

@@NoName-hg6cc bro that comment is 3 years old

[@NoName-hg6cc]

@@deutschween And?

[@deutschween]

@@NoName-hg6cc Dunno

[@haptuflu9343]

Make Zimbabwe Rhodesia again

[@jephthaholt]

YES! WHERE IS MY FAL IM SIGNING UP!

[@adamhauskins6407]

@Benjamin Riggs Outdoors &All I say we start with the Congo then rhodesia the reason why is the Congo is still loaded with resources and nobody has anything more powerful than an RPG

[@adamhauskins6407]

@Benjamin Riggs Outdoors &All sure

[@thepatricio1671]

Rhodesia :D

[@mr.f.j.vandervyver5399]

Agree

[@alidadebruyn3560]

Cry my beloved country. Rhodesia will ALWAYS be home to me and remain in my blood ❤

[@Madridpepe]

Most beautiful country that ever existed, however destroyed by servants of the devil. Rhodesia, you memory will never be forgotten by those who love liberty, sacrifice and culture.

[@tuurehu3392]

Servants of the devil? Sure not the best guys but i think you maybe exaggerating a bit lmao

[@tuurehu3392]

also like 93% of Rhodesia's population lived in poverty and had less rights than the white minority, so it definitely wasn't the most beautiful country to have ever existed lol. While i really like the idea of Rhodesia, the white minority lived in prosperity while the black majority suffered in poverty and segregation so in that state the country was a pretty terrible place.

[@tuurehu3392]

you shouldn't believe everything you see, the videos of prospering Rhodesia you may sometimes see on the internet are just of the white areas of the country. The majority of the country was pretty undeveloped.

[@equestanton1017]

It's almost at a time when there will be no one who remembers, who walked that hot earth, smelt that sun dried air, heard the call of the bush shrike who knew it only as home. Rhodesia is fast becoming a spirit world of lost song and derelict monument. Zimbabwe arise like a phoenix and save us all but when, when oh when.

[@monkey7072]

@@tuurehu3392 93% compared to what to... Europe? let's compare apples with apples, African country against an African country, Rhodesia had 6 in every ten Africans in schools up to high school level, the worst was Ethiopia at 1 in 116 no African country even today is anywhere near the level of education for their people as was the Rhodesians, while it was not perfect no African country comes close to equal their record, there is nothing they have to be ashamed of. the British were in Africa for three hundred years and they educated very few Africans in that time, the first European settlers arrived in Rhodesia in 1890. in less than a hundred years they had taken a backward land and propelled it into the first world, from nothing to the breadbasket of Africa in that time. all the British did was rob the place, Rhodesia is a stunningly beautiful country and I don`t say this lightly equally as beautiful as my own country, Scotland, and much better weather and I photographed both.

[@undersizemaster2853]

Such a pure and elegant anthem

[@adambarton598]

I'm not surprised that Rhodesia didn't last until this day when they have a golden pickaxe in their emblem

[@himbeerpie7173]

True, they should have used a netherite pickaxe.

[@samuelramirez4985]

this state only existed 14 years but ive hummed its anthem more than my own countrys

[@greenhead96]

Rhodesia may you rest in peace. God will avenge you. He will punish the Illuminati for what they did to you.

[@Rafiki9112]

💪🏾🐵🌴🖤💚

[@heroicproductions1589]

*Born in Zimbabwe* *Lives in Germany* Beautiful…

[@VJ-vu7yn]

That's your biography or explaining really fast the immigration crisis?

[@heroicproductions1589]

@VJ (Not being offensive or racist) Born in Zimbabwe (As British) Then I’ve moved to Germany from Zimbabwe back in 2007

[@theodorkorner1497]

@@heroicproductions1589 Aus welchem Bundesland kommst du?

[@provo452]

Godspeed, mein Freund

[@Canada1994]

so the anthems the same in both your countries (Ode to Joy anthem of the EU)

[@lindameyeringsteyn4476]

What a blessing to sing this in assembly in the morning to start OUR days ....

[@klaudiuszgoralewski4038]

Rhodesia never die!

[@MissingGamer]

Every time our school band plays Ode to Joy (I'm from Germany so it happens quite a lot) I sing this in my head 💀

[@bleddyndickinson3419]

It's really saying something when I know the lyrics to this anthem more than my own country

[@daman1999]

Ian Smith 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪

[@2w3fvl]

I'm still a rhodesian because I'm proud to be a rhodesian not zimbabwean

[@Lidavaz_]

💪

[@michealklondike4049]

Based

[@lisa1212ification]

Want this national anthem back easy to learn because it's in English and set to a famous tune. Beethoven 9th symphony 9 4th movement op. 125

[@kekicev7435]

One of the greatest anthems I've ever heard.

[@samuelramirez4985]

fax

[@positionaltrader3874]

100%

[@marocat4749]

ode to joy,which that blatantly stole the melody.

[@dirkmoshpit]

@@marocat4749acting like other countries didn’t do the same damn thing lmaooo You ever listened to old 19-20th century imperial anthems? All were straight rip offs of God Save The King

[@alpzepta]

@@marocat4749German Empire used British National Anthem

[@wasd4071]

What's Zimbabwe? I thought it was Occupied Rhodesia.

[@mr.f.j.vandervyver5399]

Every time I look and listening to this clip, I get homesick and find it extremely hard not to damp a tear. My second favourite national anthem is The Flower Of Scotland because of my Scottish roots.

[@kennethyoung2423]

Flower of Scotland isn’t a national anthem. It’s a folk pop song from the 1970s that is played at the rugby and the football.

[@DesempregadoDaSilva]

Ian Smith's father was Scottish :D

[@monkey7072]

@@kennethyoung2423 all patriotic songs are anthems the are only played when countries play each other. I have to say never heard Flower of Scotland song in any other setting than a national one, and certainly at no folk festival and I`ve been to a few.

[@kennethyoung2423]

@@monkey7072 Yes, but Flower of Scotland was written in the late sixties. It is a folk-pop song, which has simply become popular to sing at sports events (and even that is only since the 90s). None of that is controversial. Some people do, to be fair, call it a de facto national anthem. I don't happen to agree.

[@monkey7072]

@@kennethyoung2423 is it not a patriotic song?

[@paolirejosef3392]

If rhodesia rises again i'm gonna move there and I'll do everything in my power to let it be great and free

[@HulkSMjr]

Its been 2 months after Mugabe Died, give us land for rhodesia

[@Moondrop.342]

Most Beautiful anthem I've ever heard!

[@boatercsa]

Wonderful nation, wonderful anthem.

[@nosiema3117]

Rhodesia anthem>>>>>>>>>EU anthem

[@nosiema3117]

@Alfa&Omega 00000 shut up

[@miroslavblagojevic]

Who want to liberate Rhodesia here! LETS VOICES OF RHODESIA RISE AGAIN ☝️🇳🇬

[@Somutzig147]

Rhodesia was a far better country than present day Zimbabwe.

[@oriettoberti2501]

Rhodesia was the paradise in Africa.

[@loglad5394]

Mugabe is finally gone

[@dennisf1351]

Make Harare Salisbury again!

[@franciscobahamondefranco7321]

Make Rhodesia Great Again!

[@LUR1FAX]

God bless Fabrique Nationale and the FAL!

[@mpmpm5203]

I only came here because im playing has Rhodesia in HOI4 : Kaiserredux, and i'm proud of what the nation has done.

[@britannicgeneral7460]

Better than ode to joy any day. Brings a sense of nostalgia and happiness to me!

[@marocat4749]

how,it destroys any harmony.

[@WalangHeograpiya]

​@marocat4749 lyrics are beautiful wdym

[@zaclang6472]

The country lasted for less than 6,000 days - but it was probably the best organized and wealthiest Africa has ever seen. Sad.

[@historiamilitaris5161]

1965-1980

[@mightdzn2897]

RISE ALL MIGHT RHODESIA

[@positionaltrader3874]

Such a beautiful anthem, I sing it along always, Its sad all the development and work that was put in making a great nation is all destroyed. Ian smith was right about what would happen if their government fell and it should have been a process of integration rather than a revolution. Rhodesia would have been a powerful and top nation in the world today.

[@turcorumtabul9524]

Ode to Joy < Rise O Voices of Rhodesia

[@triobros98]

This sounds like music at the end of the season finale

[@churimengro]

Rhodies never die, neither will the land... There is no such place as Zimbabwe... Rhodesia all the way!!!

[@eldritchmosaic9124]

Rhodesia doesn’t exist

[@SoujiOkitaTwo]

Still lasted longer than the Nick Hotel.

[@stepanmatousek8186]

Je dobře, že už není Mugabe u moci.

[@czechmatej7587]

Sice není, ale evidentně se tam moc nezměnilo zatím,on totiž ten nový prezident byl Mugabeho spolubojovník a také viceprezident, než ho chtěl Mugabe nahradit jeho ženou Grace. Škoda, hymna a ta země vypadala v těch 70 letech tak krásně.

[@nenadtomanovic1297]

Mugabe is gone :crab: :crab:

[@CoalPoggers]

Ascending to the Sunlit Heavens, just like everyone did except Mugabe

[@Fenris77]

Like the song. Using the Ode to joy with another text. Glorious.

[@touchpadgaming3811]

Did EU literally stole anthem from Rhodesia?

[@Sarfanger]

I really hope youre trolling.

[@thesmithersy]

Yes

[@RealSnuuy]

Both of them stole it from bethoven

[@andreabianchi6156]

Well there aren't many Rhodesians complaining are there? ahahah

[@vnit731]

Greeting from Japan!

[@fastloose]

Born and bred Rhodesian here Fought for my country now I is a waste

[@Votler1]

I miss a country that I never lived in and was never even alive for during its existence.

[@pixythegunner]

Happy UDI, may your memory lives in our hearts

[@petervonfroster8i]

One Day its going to come back....

[@Oneamongthelegion]

I'd fight to make that happen.

[@LaneCorbett]

I'd spill blood to bring back Rhodesia

[@Oneamongthelegion]

@Juan Ignacio Davidson For the freedom of Rhodesia!

[@ronaldtapiwatagwireyi5961]

Dream on!!

[@YuriNikolayavich]

"Sit Nomine Digna" "May she be worthy of thy name"

[@dutchskyrimgamer.youtube2748]

A few words many black Africans fail to understand

[@otilium7503]

What has brought you all here? Historic homesick maybe? God bless Rhodesia ❤❤❤

[@edermanutencaoejardim9138]

Socialism ended several African countries

[@sceq1ic837]

My grandfather on my father's side was from Rhodesia (present-day Zimbabwe), before moving to settle in Portuguese Goa. He worked on English / Portuguese merchant ships throughout his life to earn money. Long live my Zimbabwean brothers 🇿🇼❤

[@noah-du2wo]

What's zimbabwe? All I know is Rhodesia lol

[@franciscobahamondefranco7321]

Brother, remember, there is no Zimbabwe, there is Rhodesia.

[@alexandersmith6474]

make zimbabwe Rhodesia again!

[@NoName-hg6cc]

Rhodesia: Can i copy your homework? European Union: Ok, but make sure it's not similar Rhodesia: *IT'S FREE REAL ESTATE*

[@redsimonyt]

The EU is not a nation-state. The EU did not compose the melody. It's from Beethoven from the 19th century.

[@NoName-hg6cc]

@@redsimonyt EU is a DEMOCRACY, contrary to Rhodesia. Beethoven was European

[@redsimonyt]

@@NoName-hg6cc As a German Beethoven was a member of the European race, yes. But the European community was created in the 20th century, when he was long dead. Rhodesia was also a democracy, but with protection for the founders and builders of the nation, white people. What happens without it you can see in South Africa now where whites get slaughtered and the black government does nothing.

[@NoName-hg6cc]

@@redsimonyt He was an European, stop. And he was in favor of an united Europe as well Rhodesia was not a democracy, built as it was on the oppression of natives

[@redsimonyt]

@@NoName-hg6cc It was a democracy for the Rhodesian people, which are all white. The African tribes of the region did not create the nation-state and it wasn't created for them, just like with the people of and the natives in South Africa, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand... Btw you don't become European by setting foot on Europe, just like you don't become Indian by moving to India. Beethoven was European by birth. And he never said he wanted one giant European nation-state, you just made that up.

[@lucapee764]

Cant listen without crying ...

[@pascalgallez1126]

What memory, what memory...

My father was a Rhodesian military officer, when Mugabe rose we escaped to the UK, now that filthy commie is dead. Let Rhodesia rise again!

[@ristokivi457]

Sad but beatiful!

[@avianokke2281]

"Ode to Joy to be controversial in modern-day Zimbabwe." Na-ah. I don't care, this is better than 99% of all anthems, ngl, only my countries Royal Anthem can top this. Its called "Kungsången", the Kings song, used as the Royal Familys anthem.

[@Rafiki9112]

Modern-day Sweden should conquer the world to this... then call it Rhodesia..🐒🌴 And.. *Du Gamla Du Fria...* is way better✌🏾🌴

[@ITSSIRWAN86]

love it

[@mikerilling6515]

The three demons are all dead, and nkomo Mandela and Mugabi 😂

[@deuscaritasest7518]

Rhodesians never die, they live in our hearts

[@vachagan2007]

Cringe degenerate

[@Rafiki9112]

💪🏾🐵🌴

[@capteuan6517]

Apart from all the racism controversies, this is beautiful.

[@old-worldghost3451]

Anyone else here after Alternate History Hub did their episode on National Anthems?

[@pix3lpancake]

Yeah

[@old-worldghost3451]

@KommanderKilo based

[@MrSMITCHERS]

Fuck me I wanna cry rn

[@aaronmcintosh6740]

I saluted too this anthem after Harambe died.

[@ElektrikPikanin]

The BEST Ever! Thank you for the post :)

[@s.mashman1098]

My grandma is Rhodesian

[@gerrard1144]

Beethoven: *writes 9th Symphony* Rhodesia: gimme gimme

[@ArchCone]

Free Rhodesia RISE RHODESIA RISE AGAIN

[@vikingkrigare5329]

A shame that we let that happen to Rhodesia.

[@WhiteAwakening]

One of the best national anthems ever!

[@Dragon_W0LF]

As a Mexican Make Zimbabwe Rhodesia Again should become a reality

[@britishsubject8722]

Obvious point to make but an interesting one: these are very African voices singing - not whites....

[@elicrowleyycontreras1135]

These sound White to me...

[@porchofgeese_crockpot]

This isn't Rhodesians never die

[@sgtmajtrapp3391]

We (United States) turned their back on Rhodesia (along with the free world as well) in the fight against COMMUNISM and Terrorists and of course with the aid of those foreign Communists Nations Rhodesia fell and communism/socialism is the norm now, lots of Rhodesians were murdered and raped as a result of ignoring their requests for help.

[@sabrina1380m]

Oh poor them lol, they literally used chemicals weapons and committed worse crimes, but that's war Do you think oppressed people will choose side with imperialists? Or just sit there and not fight for their freedom

[@consensus949]

@@sabrina1380m you are probably using chemicals when fighting off cockroaches. How using it on totalitarian commies/nazis (0 difference) is worse?

[@chrisvan4248]

@@sabrina1380m What chemicals? I was there. Where were you? Due to sanctions, most Rhodesians didn't even have toothpaste, had to make fuel from sugar cane and build their own vehicles - chemical weapons hahahaha

[@ep1336]

@@sabrina1380m thank you for the laugh.

[@ayodejiolowokere1076]

@@chrisvan4248 they used ricin.

[@oriettoberti2501]

Rhodesians never die.

[@sebastos1679]

:'(

[@Eusouafisica]

Great.

[@gerrykun]

Beethoven's 9th Symphony

[@lisa1212ification]

It modulates at the 45sec mark

[@josemfernandeza5979]

Happy Birthday Rhodesia.

[@avian8338]

SIT NOMINE DIGNA!!

[@westhuizenarchives2614]

Happy UDI

[@pavelmorozov6599]

remember who did this

[@christianv7177]

Why is it just ode to joy?

[@AnonymousJack]

ZAMBEZİ IRMAĞININ AKIŞINA ÖLÜRÜM RODEZYA'M 🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@uppervolta6680]

the 19 dislikes was mugabe fighters

[@mannfred1440]

perkele suomalainen

[@irou95]

Does the ending of clockwork orange (1971) have anything to do with this song? Like did they watch the movie and like it and choose to made their anthem or are they just beethoven lovers in general.

[@smudgealdrin1512]

With Dads Support we would of smashed it ,, Kicked the lot of em North ... No Oil ??? Whats the excuse ?

[@sylviagordon4480]

Thank you

[@jamesauger7113]

Live Again Forever! Beautiful Land!