It is with sadness we hear of the passing of Irva Baptiste-Blackett.
Baptiste-Blackett has made a great contribution to our country, which remains an unwavering reminder of our pride and honour to be Grenadian. She is the writer of Grenada’s National Anthem.
Irva Baptiste-Blackett is known as an educator who has taught many of our outstanding citizens over her career. As a schoolteacher, she impacted the lives of thousands of our citizens who are forever grateful for her contribution toward their foundation in education. She has been considered as one of the best primary school teachers of her times. She was also a music teacher.
Baptiste-Blackett took part in the Independence Anthem songwriting competition and was the most outstanding contributor with her composition “Hail Grenada, land of ours; We pledge ourselves to thee.” As she walked through Morne Jaloux she was enthused by the beauty that surrounded her that stimulated her to write those words. The words of the anthem were carefully chosen to reflect the Grenadian people, their consciousness to God, the strength of a united nation advancing as one family with pride of heritage. This and more she expressed within the National Anthem.
Baptiste-Blackett received the Camerhogne Silver Award during the 2009 Independence Celebrations as the writer of the National Anthem of Grenada. The foundation expresses condolences to her family and loved ones.
May she Rest in Peace.
Grenada Cultural Foundation
Hail Grenada has been the national anthem of Grenada since independence in 1974. The words are by Irva Merle Baptiste [MBE], and the music is by Louis Arnold Masanto. It formally replaced the Grenada National State Anthem written and adopted in 1967.
Lyrics
Hail! Grenada, land of ours,
We pledge ourselves to thee,
Heads, hearts and hands in unity
To reach our destiny.
Ever conscious of God,
Being proud of our heritage,
May we with faith and courage
Aspire, build, advance
As one people, one family.
God bless our nation.
There are also Grenadian Creole lyrics
Hélé la Gwinad te annou
Nou pléjé ko an nou pou ou
Tet, tje e lanmen an younité
Pou wivé déstinasyon nou
Toujou konésas an Djé
Pwéjé Héwitaj an Nou
Sé pou nou an lafwa eve kouwaj
Anspiwé, bati, avansé
Kon yonn sel moun
Yonn sel fanmi
Djé benni nasyon annou
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This is read with great sadness. I can safely say she was by far the “BEST” teacher of my life. She was my Standard 4 teacher at “Hindsey” school. Through Seconday school/College/Medical school/ Speciality training I always called her name with fondess. May she RIP
I wish that the writer had included a picture of Mrs. Baptiste-Blackett.
Exactly