La Renaissance (original) (raw)

La Renaissance is the national anthem of the Central African Republic. The words were written by the first president, Barth�l�my Boganda. The music was composed by Herbert Pepper, who also composed the national anthem of Senegal, Pincez Tous vos Koras, Frappez les Balafons. La Renaissance was adopted upon independence in 1960.

French Lyrics

O Centrafrique, � berceau des Bantous!
Reprends ton droit au respect, � la vie!
Longtemps soumis, longtemps brim� partous,
Mais de ce jour brisant la tyrannie.
Dans le travail, l'ordre et la dignit�,
Tu reconquiers ton droit, ton unit�,
Et pour franchir cette �tape nouvelle,
De nos anc�tres la voix nous appelle.

CHORUS:
Au travail dans l'ordre et la dignit�,
Dans le respect du droit dans l'unit�,
Brisant la mis�re et la tyrannie,
Brandissant l'�tendard de la Patrie.

English Translation

Oh! Central Africa, cradle of the Bantu!
Take up again your right to respect, to life!
Long subjugated, long scorned by all,
But, from today, breaking tyranny's hold.
Through work, order and dignity
You reconquer your rights, your unity,
And to take this new step
The voice of our ancestors call us.

CHORUS:
To work! In order and dignity,
in the respect for rights and in unity,
Breaking poverty and tyranny,
Holding high the flag of the Fatherland.