Did you know that the national anthem of KSA had no lyrics? Composer Abdul Rahman Al Khateeb first officially adopted it without lyrics in 1950. It was then until 1984 that it was revised, and had lyrics written to it, by poet Ibrahim Khafaji.
The song itself is simply known as The National Anthem and its 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.
Given Saudi’s incredible culture and rich heritage, it’s only right that we should be knowledgeable about its national anthem, and these are the fascinating facts you need to know:
1- The instrumental version is called the Royal Salute (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.
2- The melody of the national anthem was a gift from Egypt's King Farouk to King Abdulaziz when he visited in 1947. At the time of the Saudi king’s visit, the composer, Abdul Rahman Khateeb, played the music on the trumpet himself at the official welcoming ceremony.
3- In 1984, Saudi poet, Ibrahim Khafaji was employed to add lyrics to the instrumental royal salute. Khafaji was originally asked by King Khalid to lyricize the melody in order for it to become the kingdom’s national anthem. By the time Khafaji was requested to write the lyrics by the country’s officials, the King had passed away. When King Fahd came into power shortly after, he asked Khafaji to finish the lyrics and to add focus on the kingdom’s heritage.
4- The writing of the lyrics for the Saudi National Anthem was completed within 6 months and was given to Saudi composer, Siraj Omar to blend with the music. The first time Saudi's heard their national anthem was on the first day of Eid Al Fitr in 1984 when it was played on the national TV and radio.
5- Saudi people refer to their national anthem as Sari’i, which translates to the English word, “hasten” and is the opening word of the anthem.
Here are the full English lyrics of Saudi Arabia's official national anthem:
Hasten
To glory and supremacy
Glorify the Creator of the heavens
And raise the green flag
Which carry the guidance light
Repeat: Allahu Akbar
My country,
Live as the pride of all Muslims!
Long live the king
For the flag
And homeland
