Myanmar
Kaba Ma Kyei ("Till the End of the World, Myanmar")

Words by: Saya Tin
Music by: Saya Tin
Adopted: 1948

In 1934/35, Burman political organisations declared "Dobama Asiayone" ("We Burmans") the first national song. (It is not clear whether these "political organizations" were for or against the Japanese puppet administration.) The music was composed by Saya Tin (later known as Thakin Tin), the exact year of composition is unknown. During the Japanese occupation of Burma (during WW II until May 1945) the song became a national symbol.

In 1947, before independence, a committee was formed to select proposals for the future flag, coat of arms and national anthem. Thakin Tin became a member of this committee in July 1947. It was decided to adopt Tin's composition with some slight changes of the text. On 22nd September 1947, another correction of the text was done and this version became valid upon independence in 1948. (A slight change was also made to the words, presumably in 1988, when the name of the country was changed to Myanmar).

There is also an interesting custom associated with the national anthem, and that is that singers who sing the anthem must give a small bow upon the conclusion of their singing, as a sign of respect for the anthem and the nation.

Special thanks to: Jan Scotland for some of this information.