This post features the Selwyn Walford Young stamp from Belize in 1993. Young was the composer of the Belize national anthem in 1963. Postage stamps that commemorate a national anthem, or a composer of the anthem, are very popular. After all, postage stamps are political documents that represent the countries that make them. As such, they often feature nationalistic and patriotic figures and symbols, like national anthems.
Richard Scott More, Curator of the British Library’s Philatelic Collection wrote that “National anthems are a popular way for nations to eulogise their history, traditions and struggles musically since the nineteenth century.” Read his further comments about the topics on this blog post. You can read about national anthem stamps from El Salvador, Guatemala, Canada, and Liberia, among others on this blog.
Belize
A tiny country on the Yucatan peninsula, Belize borders both Mexico and Guatemala. The area was a part of the Mayan civilization from around 1500 B.C. until the Spanish conquistadors came in the sixteenth century. Belize was a part of the vast territory of New Spain through the sixteenth and seventeenth century. However, the area was largely left alone due to its lack of resources. The British created a permanent settlement there in 1716, and thereafter Spain and Britain both contested the Belize District.
In 1862, following the emancipation of Central America from Spanish Rule, the British claimed Belize as part of the British Empire. They gave it the name of British Honduras. Following World War II, the colony like many throughout the world, began to advocate for independence from Britain. This began a decades long transition towards the independent nation of Belize. This was finally achieved on September 21st, 1981. While it maintains Queen Elizabeth II as its head of state, the country is a democracy with a parliamentary system.
The region began using British postage stamps in 1858. During the transition period, Belize issuing its own stamps in 1973.
The National Anthem
In 1963, Samuel Alfred Haynes wrote lyrics that were set to my by Selwyn Walford Young. The song is the “Land of the Free,” which became the national anthem of Belize in 1981. The song was originally an independence anthem, sung as a protest in place of “God Save the Queen.” After independence, the ruling People’s United Party, made the Song the country’s anthem.
The Stamp
Scott Number BZ 1014
The multi-color stamp features a portrait of Selwyn Walford Young (1899-1977) on the right. Behind him, covering most of the stamp, are a few measures of the song “Land of the Free,” the music of which he wrote. It was one of a set of four stamps honoring “Eminent Belizeans” made that year. Hungarian Laszlo Gyula (Julian) Vasarhelyi was the designer of all four stamps.
Lyrics
O, Land of the Free by the Carib Sea,
Our manhood we pledge to thy liberty!
No tyrants here linger, despots must flee
This tranquil haven of democracy
The blood of our sires which hallows the sod,
Brought freedom from slavery, oppression’s rod
By the might of truth, and the grace of God,
No longer shall we be hewers of Wood!
Chorus:
Arise! ye sons of the Baymen’s clan,
Put on your armour, clear the land!
Drive back the tyrants, let despots flee –
Land of the Free by the Carib Sea.
Nature has blessed thee with wealth untold,
O’er mountains and valleys where prairies roll;
Our fathers, the Baymen, valiant and bold
Drove back the invader: this heritage hold
From proud Rio Hondo to old Sarstoon,
Through coral isle, over blue lagoon;
Keep watch with the angels, the stars and moon;
For freedom comes tomorrow’s noon!
Of course, make sure to listen to this anthem!
