La Tchadienne


"italic=no" is the national anthem of Chad. Written by Louis Gidrol and his student group and composed by Paul Villard, it has been the official state anthem of Chad since it gained independence from France in January 1960.

History

The anthem was written, following a competition, by Jesuit father Louis Gidrol and his student group from the Saint Paul Boarding School in Fort-Archambault. The music was composed by another Jesuit father, Paul Villard. It was adopted as the official state anthem of Chad upon gaining independence from France in January 1960.

Lyrics

The anthem comprises a chorus and four verses. Only the chorus and first verse constitute the official national anthem. The other three verses are barely known among young Chadians.
French lyricsArabic lyricsArabic transliterationEnglish translation
italic=noكورال:
شعب تشاد قم إلي العمل
Chorus:
People of Chad, arise and to work!
You have conquered your soil and won your rights;
Your freedom will be born of your courage.
Lift up your eyes, the future is yours.
I
O my Country, may God protect you,
May your neighbors admire your children.
Joyful, peaceful, advance as you sing,
Faithful to your fathers who are watching you.
Chorus
II
Race of the North, and its immense herds,
Race of the South, who cultivates the fields.
Shepherds, mountaineers, fishers and traders,
Let us be a single great people who advances.
Chorus
III
Hoe in hand, valiantly make your rope,
See your children who are tomented by hunger,
The fields before you wait for your grain.
Let oil flow and your granaries overflow.
Chorus
IV
Your engineers will trace roads on you
Your physicians will make you big and strong
Student, to work, without worrying about the effort
Put ignorance and evil in debacle.
Chorus