Ij Io̧kwe Ļo̧k Aelōn̄ Eo Aō

It became the anthem from 1979 when it was separated from the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, and it remained the national anthem when the Republic of the Marshall Islands gained its independence in 1986, until 1991 when Forever Marshall Islands became the new national anthem.

The music was composed by Samuel Langrine, and the Marshallese lyrics are of unknown origin.

Marshallese

New orthography

Ij io̧kwe ļo̧k aelōn̄ eo aō,
Ijo iaar ļotak ie,
Meļan ko ie, im iaļ ko ie,
Im iiāio ko ie.
Ij jāmin ilo̧k jāne,
Bwe ijo jikū em̧ool,
Im aō ļām̧oran indeeo.
Em̧m̧an 'ļan̄n̄e inaaj mej ie.

Old orthography

Ij yokwe lok ailin̄ eo aō,
Ijo iar lotak ie,
Melan ko ie, im ial ko ie,
Im iāieo ko ie.
Ij jāmin ilok jāne,
Bwe ijo jikū emol,
Im aō lemoron indreo.
Emon lok n̄e inaj mij ie.

Pronunciation

English translation

I love my islands,
Where I was born,
The surroundings, the paths,
And the gatherings.
I cannot leave here,
Because this is my rightful place,
My family heritage is forever here.
It is best for me to die here.