The Chant of the Saudi Nation (Arabic: ٱلنَّشِيْد ٱلْوَطَنِي ٱلسُّعُوْدِي, romanized: an-Našīd al-Waṭanī as-Suʿūdī) is the national anthem of Saudi Arabia. It was first officially adopted in 1950 without lyrics. The piece was gifted by the King Faruq (r. 1936–1952) when King Abd al-Aziz (r. 1932–1953) made a visit to Egypt.[1] It was then adopted again in 1984 with lyrics written by Ibrahim Khafaji. The original composition was by Abd al-Rahman al-Khatib in 1947, and the brass instrumental version was later arranged by Siraj Umar.[2][3][4]
Overview
In 1947, because Saudi Arabia did not have a national anthem like other neighbouring countries, King Abdulaziz visited Egypt and asked Egyptian composer Abd al-Raḥman al-Khaṭīb to create a national anthem, and thus "Āsh al-Malīk" was created. The melody is based on an Arab fanfare style, and is similar to the national anthems of other Arab states in the area at the time. In 1958, Mohammed Talat wrote the first set of lyrics, which were not often heard, so King Fahd asked poet Ibrāhīm Khafājī in 1984 to come up with a new set of lyrics, which were completed within six months on 29 June 1984.[4] Khafājī's lyrics are the ones that are used officially today.[2] Saudis listened to their anthem for the first time during the celebrations of Eid al-Fitr in 1984.[1]
"Āsh al-Malīk" is referred to by Saudi Arabians as "The National Anthem" (النشيد الوطني, an-Našīd al-Waṭanī), although it is commonly known by its incipit, "Hasten" (سارعي, Sārʿī). The lyrics call upon the country to hasten to greatness and raise the flag, glorify God, and asks Him to grant the King of Saudi Arabia long life.[4]
The instrumental version is called "The Royal Salute" (السلام الملكي, as-Salām al-Malakī), which is also the name of the ceremony in which it is played to salute senior members of the royal family as well as diplomatic figures.
Notes: Some variations remove the word قَدْ qad before "عِشْتَ فَخْرَ الْمُسْلِمِيْن ʿišta faxra l-muslimīn!" and other variations use the word المَلِيك al-malīk instead of المَلِك al-malik.
For whom? Son of homeland
We are the eternity of time
They asked the old, the years
They chant, Saudi Arabia's King
To the great majesty of the wise leader of Arabia
Our souls are ransom, our motto is guidance, peace is in the dark, for the crown of the homeland
A planet in the sky has its throne from Aba
His crown is a jewel of the faithful, his glory is a torch of light
Long live the king, long live the homeland
Our proud youth lead the pioneer of jihad
The Saudis of the Father, and an Arab army surrounded by the Prophet, blessing the homeland
Roaring fever, Sama, respond
And give my name to Mina, and bear witness that we are young lions.
Long live the king, long live the homeland
The flag crowns the isle, embraces the scholars and sanctuaries
Our palms are majestic, our swords are as long as our king is a crescent, decorating the homeland
His justice in time is evident
His lion, his antelope, in the safety of his people, his soldiers, will not be insulted
Long live the king, long live the homeland
يعيش ملكنا الحبيب
أرواحنا فداه حامي الحرم
هيا اهتفوا عاش الملك
هيا ارفعوا راية الوطن
اهتفوا ورددوا النشيد
يعيش الملك
Long live our beloved king
Our souls are the protector of the sanctuary
Come on, cheer, long live the king
Come on, raise the flag of the homeland
Cheer and chant the anthem
Long live the king
