Pheng Xat Lao
English: Hymn of the Lao People | |
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ເພງຊາດລາວ | |
U.S. Navy Band instrumental version |
"Pheng Xat Lao" (Lao: ເພງຊາດລາວ [pʰeŋ saːt laːw], "Song of the Lao People") is the national anthem of the Lao People's Democratic Republic. It was written and composed in 1941 by Thongdy Sounthonevichit. It was adopted as the national anthem of the Kingdom of Laos in 1945. The original lyrics were revised after the Communists triumphed in the Laotian Civil War and established the Lao People's Democratic Republic in 1975, with the new lyrics written by Sisana Sisane.[1]
History
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Long a tributary state of Siam, in 1893 Laos became a protectorate of France within its colonial empire. The French claimed their annexation was to protect Laos from "hostile neighbors" such as China and especially Siam, which had been militarily forced to cede Laos to the European colonial power. In reality, France simply ruled Laos as a colony, even bringing in many Vietnamese to work in its governing. The transferring of control from one master to another meant that nationalist sentiment did not develop as it did in formerly independent Vietnam. However, the outbreak of the Second World War soon saw the fall of France to Nazi Germany. The new right-wing government in Siam saw this as a possible opportunity to regain formerly Thai territory lost to France, especially the land located on the Thai side of the Mekong River. To counteract this, the French colonial government began promoting Lao nationalism.[2]
Because of this liberalization, many patriotic songs were now composed, each one emphasizing Lao "uniqueness".
When the Pathet Lao emerged victorious in the Laotian Civil War in 1975, thanks to major North Vietnamese assistance, the new Communist government abolished the monarchy and changed the lyrics to reflect the ideology of the Marxist government.[7] As a result, the anthem became all-encompassing, mentioning all ethnic groups in Laos, instead of focussing on the Lao race and Buddhism. However, the melody was retained.[8]
Lyrics
Current lyrics
Lao original[9][10] | Romanization[11] | IPA transcription[a][tone?] | English translation[citation needed] |
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ຊາດລາວຕັ້ງແຕ່ໃດມາ |
Sāt Lāo tangtǣ daimā |
[saːt̚ laːw taŋ.tɛː daj.maː] |
For all time, the Lao people |
Original lyrics (1947–1975)
Lao original | Romanization | Literal English translation | Poetic English translation (singable) |
---|---|---|---|
ຊາຕລາວຕັ້ງແຕ່ເດີມມາ |
Sāt Lāo tangtǣ dœ̄mmā |
In the old days, our Lao people religion of their fathers,And protect the soil of their ancestors. They will never allow another nation to threaten them Or to occupy their territory. Every enemy who enters their country Will find them ready to fight until death. All together, they can restore the ancient glory of their blood, and they will stand together in the days of danger .
|
Once our Laotian race |
Notes
- Lao phonology.
- ^ Chakkaphat (imperialism) specifically refers to France and the United States.
References
- ^ a b "Laos". The World Factbook. CIA. Retrieved May 9, 2013.
- ^ a b "History of Laos". Lonely Planet. Retrieved May 8, 2013.
- ISBN 9780739111468. Retrieved May 9, 2013.
- ISBN 9780822565901. Retrieved May 9, 2013.
- ^ "ປະເທດລາວ ໑໙໕໐ Laos mil neuf cent cinquante". Hymnn Lao. Government of Laos. Archived from the original on 2012-10-28. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
- ^ Kutler, Stanley I., ed. (1996). "Laos". Encyclopedia of the Vietnam War. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons. Retrieved May 9, 2013. (subscription required)
- ISBN 9780824833275. Retrieved May 9, 2013.
- ISBN 9781134003464. Retrieved May 9, 2013.
- ^ "ປະຕູເອເລັກໂຕນິກ ລັດຖະບານລາວ". Government of Lao People's Democratic Republic. Retrieved 2022-01-31.
- ^ "Laotian National Anthem (Pheng Xat Lao)". ASEAN Learning Center, Department of Local Administration. Retrieved 2022-01-31.
- ^ https://www.loc.gov/catdir/cpso/romanization/lao.pdf [bare URL PDF]
External links
- A video of "Pheng Xat Lao", broadcast on Lao National Television (LNTV) on YouTube
- A recording of "Pheng Xat Lao"'s pre-communist version on YouTube
- Michael Sauser and Gilbert Greeve - Sauser and Greeve sing the anthem on their CD "Hymnen der Welt: Asien"
- "Pheng Xat Lao" at empas.com
- Dookola Swiata - This travel website has an instrumental version of the Anthem, as an .asx file.