The Egyptian national anthem arranged for String Orchestra.

The lyrics were written by Sayed Darwish who also composed the music and maintained close ties with early leaders of the national movement for independence in Egypt, such as Mustafa Kamel. In fact, the chorus of Egypt’s national anthem were derived from one of Kamel’s most famous speeches.

Egypt’s first national anthem dated back to 1869 when a royal anthem was composed to honour the monarch. It is unclear how long this anthem was in use. Although the monarchy was deposed in 1952, the anthem was used as part of the anthem of the United Arab Republic with Syria in 1958.

"Walla Zaman Ya Selahy" was first written for Umm Kulthum, who was considered by many as the most popular female singer of that period. The song gained a great deal of popularity in 1956, and was adopted as the national anthem in 1960. It remained as Egypt’s national anthem until 1979, when it was replaced by the current national anthem. The 1960-1979 anthem was also used, without lyrics, from 1965-1981 by Iraq, which was seeking a greater Arab state that would link those two nations with other Arab states.

Need an anthem fast? They are ALL in my store! All my anthem arrangements are also available for Orchestra, Recorders, Saxophones, Wind, Brass and Flexible band. If you need an anthem urgently for an instrumentation not in my store, let me know via e-mail, and I will arrange it for you FOC if possible! keithterrett@gmail.com