Ethiopia
"Ethiopia hoy dess ibalish beamlakish hail benegoosish"
(Ethiopia be happy, thanks to God's strength and your Emperor's wise rule)

Words by: collectively
Music by: Kevork Nalbandian
In use: 1930-1975

This anthem was in use during the rule of Emperor Haile Selassie I from 1930 to 1974. The music was composed in 1926 by Kevork Nalbandian, an Armenian living in Ethiopia. It was first performed when Haile Selassie I was crowned Emperor on 2nd November 1930 and remained the national anthem until Haile Selassie I was overthrown by socialist army officers in 1974 and the socialists fully gained control of the government in 1975.

Special thanks to: Dieter Baalss for providing some of the info and the lyrics, and Jan Scotland for providing some more info.

See also: Ethiopia (1975-1992), Ethiopia (1992-).