Malta
"Innu Malti" (Hymn of Malta)

Words by: Dun Karm Psaila (Maltese), May Butcher (English)
Music by: Robert Sammut
Adopted: 1945

The Mediterranean island nation of Malta has a beautiful anthem, which has always has been one of my favourites. First performed in 1923, it became the national anthem in 1945. The author of the anthem's lyrics, Dun Karm Psaila, (Malta's national poet), was originally comissioned to write a school hymn to already-existing music. He thought of the idea of a national anthem in the form of a prayer, to bind together the political parties and the country with the commonality of prayer.

The anthem was given English lyrics later by May Butcher, but the spirit and original meaning of Dum Karm's lyrics is missing somewhat, so I also provide a translation of the Maltese lyrics.

Special thanks to: Jan Scotland for some of this information and the English lyrics.