Le Mali (popularly known as Pour l'Afrique et pour toi, Mali French: For Africa and for you, Mali or A ton appel Mali French: At your call, Mali) is the national anthem of Mali. The words were written by Seydou Badian Kouyaté and the music was by Banzoumana Sissoko. Adopted as the national anthem in 1962, its themes are patriotism, national, and African unity. It states the willingness of the people of Mali to lay down their lives for their nation and for liberty. A common theme throughout the song is the desire to strive for a united Africa. Its music is a traditional European style military march.[1] It was officially adopted less than a year after independence, by loi n° 62-72 du 9 août 1962. It is traditionally played at state ceremonies by the band of the Garde Républicaine of the Armed Forces of Mali. The Malian Young Pioneer movement of the 1960s translated the anthem in the Bambara language for its rallies. Lyrics The first verse begins: A ton appel Mali Pour ta prospérité Fidèle à ton destin Nous serons tous unis Un Peuple un But une Foi Pour une Afrique Unie... Translated as: At your call, Mali for your prosperity Loyal towards your destiny we will be all united, One people, one struggle, one faith, For African unity... The chorus is as follows: Pour l'Afrique et pour toi, Mali, Notre drapeau sera liberté. Pour l'Afrique et pour toi, Mali, Notre combat sera unité. Ô Mali d'aujourd'hui Ô Mali de demain Les champs fleurissent d'espérance Les cœurs vibrent de confiance Translated as: For Africa and for you, Mali, Our banner shall be liberty. For Africa and for you, Mali, Our fight shall be for unity. Oh, Mali of today, Oh, Mali of tomorrow, The fields are flowering with hope And hearts are thrilling with confidence.

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