The national anthem of Bahrain is called Baḥraynunā.
It was originally composed as an instrumental 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 the country’s independence from the United Kingdom, when it was extended by playing it twice.
In 1985, former leader of the police band Colonel Mohamed Sudgi Ayyash wrote lyrics for the anthem, which were used until 2002. It was in 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 the Minister of the Royal Court. 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.
English lyrics:
Our Bahrain
Our King
A symbol of harmony
Its constitution is high in the place and the position
Its charter is the way of Shari’a, Arabism, and values
Long live the Kingdom of Bahrain!
Country of nobles,
Cradle of peace,
Its constitution is high in the place and the position
Its charter is the way of Shari’a, Arabism, and values
Long live the Kingdom of Bahrain!
Jo-AnneRamplings 