CA Country Anthems

Iceland National Anthem History

Ó Guð vors lands

Iceland's national anthem, "Lofsöngur" ("Song of Praise"), was created in 1874 for the 1000th anniversary of the island's Norse settlement. Despite not being originally intended as an anthem, it was officially adopted when Iceland gained sovereignty in 1918.

Iceland Ó Guð vors lands

Iceland

Language
Icelandic
Anthem
Ó Guð vors lands
Duration
1:39
Status
The anthem comprises three verses, though typically only the first verse is performed today.

History timeline

  1. 1874

    Iceland celebrated the 1000th anniversary of its Norse settlement, inspiring the anthem's creation.

  2. August 2, 1874

    Lyricist Matthías Jochumsson wrote a poem based on Psalm 90 for anniversary church services.

  3. 1874

    Composer Sveinbjörn Sveinbjörnsson set Jochumsson's poem to music while they were both in Edinburgh.

  4. Pre-1918

    Another popular song with anti-Danish lyrics, set to the British anthem tune, was commonly sung.

  5. December 1, 1918

    The song, 'Lofsöngur,' was officially adopted as the national anthem upon Iceland's proclamation of sovereignty.

The anthem's adoption in 1918 replaced a previous popular song that featured anti-Danish lyrics and used the melody of the British national anthem.