Rhodesia
"Rise O Voices of Rhodesia"

Words by: Mary Bloom
Music by: Ludwig von Beethoven
In use: 1974-1979

The National Anthem of the Republic of Rhodesia was decided upon and introduced after a national competition, on 26th August 1974. Using Beethoven's Ode to Joy (which was also used at the time as the anthem of the European Union, and still is today) as the melody, the lyrics were composed by a South African born resident of Gwelo. The white majority rule was ended in 1979 (when the country was called Zimbabwe-Rhodesia), and the nation of Zimbabwe was created in 1980; I am unsure whether this anthem was used in Zimbabwe-Rhodesia as the sole national anthem, if it was a part of the anthem (perhaps combined with "God Bless Africa", as is currently done in South Africa), or if it was not used at all.

Special thanks to: Bert H de la Houssaye for informing me of this anthem and to Federico Vicini for some of the info.

See also: Zimbabwe.