| O Sweet Saint Martin's Land | |
| Prefix: | Regional |
| Country: |  Saint-Martin |
| Author: | Gerard Kemps |
| Lyrics Date: | 1958 |
| Composer: | Gerard Kemps |
| Music Date: | 1958 |
| Sound: | Sint Maarten National Anthem (Instrumental) Oh Sweet Sint Maarten Land.ogg |
| Sound Title: | Digital instrumental rendition of the English version |
"O Sweet Saint Martin's Land", also known by its French title, "French: italic=no|Saint-Martin, si jolie" ("Saint Martin, So Pretty"),[1] [2] is the bi-national song of Saint-Martin / Sint Maarten island, an island divided between the French Republic and the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It was written in English (the main language of Saint Martin) by Gerard Kemps in 1958.[3] Kemps also wrote and composed a French version with its own lyrics and a different tune.
After being appointed as priest for the Catholic Church of French St-Martin in 1954, Father Gerard Kemps felt compelled to compose lyrics and a melody about the beauty of the land of Saint Martin. In 1958, Kemps created "O Sweet Saint Martin's Land". Because of the message the lyrics conveyed and the melody that carried the tune, it served the purpose of a island-wide song.[4]
In 1984, on the occasion of the Dutch Queen's Birthday, Kemps was knighted in the Order of Orange-Nassau.
A wide-hole 7-inch vinyl record[5] (made in the Netherlands) was issued by Kemps & the Marigot Catholic Church choir.
O sweet Saint Martin's Land So bright by beach and strandWith sailors on the sea and harbours freeWhere the chains of mountains greenVariously in sunlight sheen Oh I love thy Paradise,Nature beauty fairly nice IIHow pretty between all greenFlamboyants beaming gleamOf flowers red by sunlight setThy cows and sheep and goatsIn meadows or on roadsThy donkeys keen I can't forget IIIThy useful birds in white Their morn and evening flight Like aircraft-wings in unity Their coming down for food Then turning back to roost Bring home to me their harmony IVSaint Martin I love thy nameIn which Columbus' fame And memories of old are closed For me a great delight Thy Southern Cross the night May God the Lord protect thy coast! |