National anthem of Bahrain

Baḥraynunā (Arabic: بحريننا; "Our Bahrain"; also known as نشيد البحرين الوطني Našīd al-Baḥrayn al-waṭanī, "the national anthem of Bahrain") is the national anthem of Bahrain. Originally composed as an instrumental in 1942, lyrics were added in 1985, which were changed in 2002 following the country's transformation from an emirate into a kingdom.

Baḥraynunā

English: Our Bahrain
نشيد البحرين الوطني
National anthem of Bahrain
Lyrics	Original lyrics: Mohamed Sudqi Ayyash, 1985 Current lyrics: Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, 2002
Music	Original band version: unknown, 1942 Official version: Ahmed AlJumairi, 2002
Adopted	1971 (without lyrics) 1985 (original lyrics) 2002 (current version)
Audio sample
U.S. Navy Band instrumental version file help

History

The anthem was originally composed in 1942 to be played at official events such as receptions, making Bahrain one of the first Arab countries to adopt a national anthem. The leaders of the police band made many modifications and additions to the music over the following years, most significantly in 1972, a year after Bahrain's independence from the United Kingdom, when it was extended by playing it twice.

In 1985, former leader of the police band Colonel Mohamed Sudqi Ayyash wrote lyrics for the anthem, which were used until 2002. That year, with the emergence of the National Action Charter and a constitutional amendments referendum that declared the country's ruler Hamad ibn Isa Al Khalifah a king and the country a kingdom, the lyrics were changed by Minister of the Royal Court Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa. Bahraini composer and singer Ahmed Aljumairi was directed by the government to re-arrange the national anthem with an inclusion of a fanfare that was recorded with the London Philharmonic Orchestra in London. Mr. Ahmed Aljumairi sang the national anthem with the chorus in that recording that became the official anthem of the country. Band leader Major General Mubarak Najm Al-Najm made a military band version arrangement that is used by the police.

Lyrics

Current lyrics

Arabic original	Romanization	IPA transcription	Literal English translation
بَحْرَيْنُنَا مَلِيْكُنَا رَمْزُ الْوُئَام كورال: دُسْتُوْرُهَا عَالِي الْمَكَانَةِ وَالْمَقَام مِيْثَاقُهَا نَهْجُ الشَّرِيْعَةِ وَالْعُرُوْبَةِ وَالْقِيَمْ عَاشَتْ مَمْلَكَةُ الْبَحْرَيْن بَلَدُ الْكِرَام مَهْدُ السَّلَام كورال	Baḥraynunā Malīkunā Ramzu l-wiʾām Kūrāl: Dustūruhā ʿālī l-makānati wa-l-maqām Mīṯāquhā nahju š-šarīʿati wa-l-ʿurūbati wa-l-qiyam ʿĀšat mamlakatu l-Baḥrayn Baladu l-kirām Mahdu s-salām Kūrāl	[bɑħ.ræj.nu.næː] [mæ.liː.ku.næː] [rɑm.zʊ‿l.wɪ.ʔæːm] [kuː.rɑːl] [dʊs.tuː.rʊ.hɑː ʕɑː.lɪː‿l.mæ.kæː.næ.tɪ wɑl.mɑ.qɑːm] [miː.θæː.qʊ.hæː næh.d͡ʒʊ‿ʃ.ʃæ.rɪː.ʕɑ.tɪ wɑl.ʕʊ.ruː.bæ.tɪ wɑl.qɪ.jæm] [ʕɑː.ʃæt mæm.læ.kæ.tʊ‿l.bɑħ.ræjn] [bæ.læ.dʊ‿l.kɪ.rɑːm] [mæh.dʊ‿s.sæ.læːm] [kuː.rɑːl]	Our Bahrain Our King Symbol of harmony Chorus: Its Constitution is of high status and position Its Charter is the way of Shari'a, Arabism and values Long live the Kingdom of Bahrain! Country of nobles Cradle of peace Chorus

Former lyrics (1985–2002)

Arabic original	Romanization	IPA transcription	Literal English translation
بحريننا بلد الأمان وطن الكرام كورال: يحمي حماها اميرنا الهمام قامت على هدي الرسالة والعدالة والسلام عاشت دولة البحرين بلد الأمان وطن الكرام كورال	Baḥraynunā Baladu l-ʾamān Waṭanu l-kirām Kūrāl: Yaḥmī ḥimāha ʾamīruna l-humām Qāmat ʿalā hady r-risālati wal-ʿadālati was-salām ʿĀšat dawlatu l-Baḥrayn! Baladu l-ʾamān Waṭanu l-kirām Kūrāl	[bɑħ.ræj.nu.næː] [bæ.læ.dʊ‿l.ʔæ.mæːn] [wɑ.tˤɑ.nʊ‿l.kɪ.rɑːm] [kuː.rɑːl] [jɑħ.miː ħɪ.mæː.hæ ʔæ.miː.rʊ.næ‿l.hu.mæːm] [qɑː.mæt ʕɑ.læː hæ.di ɪr.rɪ.sæː.læ.ti wɑl.ʕɑ.dæː.læ.ti wɑ‿s.sæ.læːm] [ʕɑː.ʃæt dɑw.læ.tʊ‿l.bɑħ.ræjn] [bæ.læ.dʊ‿l.ʔæ.mæːn] [wɑ.tˤɑ.nʊ‿l.kɪ.rɑːm] [kuː.rɑːl]	Our Bahrain Country of security Nation of nobles Chorus: Protected by our Courageous Amir Founded on the guidance of the message, justice and peace Long live the State of Bahrain! Country of security Nation of nobles Chorus

External links

• Bahrain: Bahrainona - Audio of the national anthem of Bahrain, with information and lyrics (archive link)
• Himnuszok - A vocal version of the Anthem, featured in the Himnuszok website.