Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu

Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu

English: O God of all Creation
National anthem of Kenya
Lyrics	Graham Hyslop, G. W. Senoga-Zake, Thomas Kalume, Peter Kibukosya, Washington Omondi, 1963 (1963)
Music	Collectively, 1963 (1963)
Adopted	1968 (1968)
Audio sample
U.S. Navy Band instrumental version file help

"Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu" (English: "O God of all Creation", lit. '"O God, our strength"') is the national anthem of Kenya.

History

"Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu"'s lyrics were originally written in Kiswahili, the national language of Kenya. The commission responsible for its creation included five members and was headed by the Kenya Music Adviser. The anthem was based on a traditional tune sung by Pokomo mothers to their children.

"Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu" is notable for being one of the first national anthems to be specifically commissioned. It was written by the Kenyan Anthem Commission in 1963 to serve as the state anthem after independence from the United Kingdom. The lyrics was intended to express the deepest convictions and highest aspirations of the people.

Lyrics

Swahili original	IPA transcription	Literal English translation	English lyrics
I Ee Mungu nguvu yetu Ilete baraka kwetu Haki iwe ngao na mlinzi Natukae na undugu Amani na uhuru Raha tupate na ustawi. II Amkeni ndugu zetu Tufanye sote bidii Nasi tujitoe kwa nguvu Nchi yetu ya Kenya Tunayoipenda Tuwe tayari kuilinda III Natujenge taifa letu Ee ndio wajibu wetu Kenya istahili heshima Tuungane mikono Pamoja kazini Kila siku tuwe na shukrani	1 [ɛː mu.ᵑɡu ᵑɡu.vu jɛ.tu] [i.lɛ.tɛ ɓɑ.rɑ.kɑ kwɛ.tu] [hɑ.ki i.wɛ ᵑɡɑ.ɔ nɑ mli.ⁿzi] [nɑ.tu.kɑ.ɛ nɑ u.ⁿdu.ɠu] [ɑ.mɑ.ni nɑ u.hu.ru] [rɑ.hɑ tu.pɑ.tɛ nɑ us.tɑ.wi] 2 [ɑm.kɛ.ni ⁿdu.ɠu zɛ.tu] [tu.fɑ.ɲɛ sɔ.tɛ bi.diː] [nɑ.si tu.ʄi.tɔ.ɛ kwɑ ᵑɡu.vu] [ⁿ.t͡ʃi jɛ.tu jɑ kɛ.ɲɑ] [tu.nɑ.jɔ.i.pɛ.ⁿdɑ] [tu.wɛ tɑ.jɑ.ri ku.i.li.ⁿdɑ] 3 [nɑ.tu.ʄɛ.ᵑɡɛ tɑi̯.fɑ lɛ.tu] [ɛː ⁿdi.ɔ wɑ.ʄi.bu wɛ.tu] [kɛ.ɲɑ is.tɑ.hi.li hɛ.ʃi.mɑ] [tuː.ᵑɡɑ.nɛ mi.kɔ.nɔ] [pɑ.mɔ.ʄɑ kɑ.zi.ni] [ki.lɑ si.ku tu.wɛ nɑ.ʃuk.rɑ.ni]	I O God our strength Bring a blessing to us Justice be our shield and defender Let us have brotherhood Peace and freedom. Happiness we get and prosperity. II Awake, our brethren; Let's all work hard And let us give ourselves mightily Our country of Kenya That we love Let's be ready to defend it III Let's build our nation O that's our responsibility Kenya deserves respect Let's join hands Together at work Every day let us be thankful.	I O God of all creation Bless this our land and nation Justice be our shield and defender May we dwell in unity Peace and liberty Plenty be found within our borders. II Let one and all arise With hearts both strong and true Service be our earnest endeavour And our homeland of Kenya Heritage of splendour Firm may we stand to defend. III Let all with one accord In common bond united Build this our nation together And the glory of Kenya The fruit of our labour Fill every heart with thanksgiving.

External links

• "Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu" in MIDI format