The Morning Lineup

Last night, for some unknown reason, I was thinking about the morning lineup before classes start in my elementary school. It used to be that we sang the national anthem while the flag was raised and went to our classes. But then at some point it became necessary to sing L'Internationale before the national anthem. Thinking back now, I think it must have had something to do with the formation of the WPE. It was never fun, but the mind has a way of making even the most mundane routines into fond memories…

Tenesu enante ye rehab esregnoch
Tenesu yemidir goskualoch
Fitih bemigeba yibeyenal
Shal yale alem’im yitayal
Kengidih yalefew yibka
[…]
Internacionaaaaaal, Yesew zer yhonal!

Here is a midi file if you have forgotten how it sounded.


The funny thing about singing L'Internationale was that it made no sense to us. There was nothing in there that as Ethiopian children we could relate to. On the fourth line, when the song went “Shal yale alem’im yitayal”, all of my friends and I thought the song went “Shalala.” I didn’t realize what that was supposed to be until much later. We just thought that the writer was improvising for lack of better words.

Anyway, the song never stuck with the students. So eventually they had to get a microphone in front of the tape player and we stood moving our lips, lest we got a good whipping for unbecoming conduct (staying silent), as the speakers boomed the song of intenational socialism.

I always felt differently about the national anthem however. I loved the national anthem that I grew up with. Ityopia Ityopia Ityopia Kidemi always resonated with me and stirred emotions in me that are all too familiar to many Ethiopians. Our attachment has little to do with the regime that instituted it, rather it is the ideals of the song which are particularly Ethiopian that stir our emotions. The message was one that looks forward to a brighter future, dreams of equality, takes pride in our ancient history, embraces love of country and the valor of our forefathers. These same traits hold true of the current national anthem. Unfortunately, many don’t have the same attachment to it because they associate it with the current ruling regime. But listen closely to the words and its content is what any Ethiopian would want to see become reality.

Below are the lyrics and music of each of the Ethiopian national Anthems from 1930 and on.

The first one titled “Ethiopia hoy des yibalish be Amlakish hail be Negoosish” has been used from 1930 to the fall of the Emperor. According to nationalantems.info the music was composed by Kevork Nalbandian, an Armenian national living in Ethiopia in 1926. The writer of the lyric is not given; if you know it please post it here. The lyrics are as follows:

[According to our anonymous commenter, "the anthem was written by the great Ethiopian poet Yoftahe Nigussie." Tnx.]

Ethiopia hoy dess yibalish
Beamlakish hail benegoosish
Tibaberewal arbanyotchish
Ayennakam ketto netsannatesh
Bertoo natchoha terarotchish
Ateférim ketelatotchish
Del adraguioo Negoosatchin
Yinoorellen lekebratchin.



The words for “Ithiopia, Ithiopia, Ethiopia Qidemi” were written by Assefa Gebre-Mariam Tessama and the music was composed by Daniel Yohannes Haggos. This was in use from 1975 to 1991/92.

Ityopia, Ityopia Ityopya Qidami
Be Hibrasabawinet Abbibi Lamlimi
Qal Kidan Gabtawal Jagnotch Ligochishi
Wanzotch Tararotchish Dingil Maretishi
La Ityopya Andinnat Lanasannatishi
Maswat Endihonu La kibir La zinnashi
Taramaj Wede fit betibeb Godana
Tataqi Lesira Lager Bilsiginna
Yajagnorch Innat Nesh Balijochish Kuri
Talatochish Yitfu, Lazalalam Nuri


(This one isn't complete, it stops right after Maswat Endihonu La kibir La zinnashi)

The last one which is currently in use was written by Melaku Mengesha and the music was composed by Solomon Lulu. It is entitled “Whedefit Gesgeshi Woude Enate Ethiopia" and has been the national anthem since 1992.

Yäzêgennät Keber Bä-Ityopp'yachchen S'änto
Tayyä Hezbawinnät Dar Eskädar Bärto.
Läsälam Läfeteh Lähezboch Näs'annät;
Bä'ekkulennät Bäfeqer Qomänal Bä'andennät.
Mäsärätä S'enu Säbe'enan Yalsharen;
Hezboch Nän Läsera Bäsera Yänoren.
Denq Yäbahel Mädräk Yä'akuri Qers Baläbet;
Yätäfät'ro S'ägga Yäjägna Hezb Ennat.
Ennet'äbbeqeshallän Alläbben Adära;
Ityopp'yachchen nuri Eññam Banchi Ennekura!



Source for anthems: http://www.nationalanthems.info/