"Rhodesians Never Die" - Rhodesian Patriotic Song (With Lyrics) скачать в хорошем качестве

"Rhodesians Never Die" - Rhodesian Patriotic Song (With Lyrics)

"Rhodesians Never Die" is a patriotic song composed during the late stages of the Rhodesian Bush War—a brutal guerrilla conflict that gripped the unrecognized state of Rhodesia (modern-day Zimbabwe) from 1964 to 1979. Released in 1973, the song became an unofficial anthem of white Rhodesian resilience and determination in the face of increasing international isolation, internal insurgency, and impending political change. The music was composed by Jackie Crawford, with lyrics written by Clem Tholet, a well-known folk singer and prominent voice of Rhodesian nationalism. Tholet, who was married to a daughter of Prime Minister Ian Smith, had already built a reputation for stirring, soldier-centric ballads. His involvement gave the song both musical credibility and political potency. The melody is based on the traditional British song “Men of Harlech,” reflecting Rhodesia’s British colonial heritage and the cultural identity embraced by many white Rhodesians. In 1973, Rhodesia was under increasing pressure. After its Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI) in 1965—when Prime Minister Ian Smith’s government broke away from the British Crown—the country faced UN sanctions, diplomatic isolation, and the escalating Bush War, fought mainly against the nationalist guerrilla forces of ZANLA (Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army) and ZIPRA (Zimbabwe People’s Revolutionary Army). Rhodesians, especially the white minority that held political and economic power, felt besieged but resolute. “Rhodesians Never Die” emerged as a cultural expression of their belief that the Rhodesian way of life, values, and military strength would endure against overwhelming odds. Though never officially adopted by the state, “Rhodesians Never Die” was widely played at public events, on the radio, and in military contexts. It resonated especially with white soldiers and settlers who felt they were standing alone in the face of an encroaching communist threat. Internationally, the song was controversial. To many outsiders, it symbolized white minority rule, settler colonialism, and resistance to racial equality. To its supporters, however, it was a tribute to courage, civilization, and self-determination. After the Lancaster House Agreement and the transition to majority rule in 1980, Rhodesia ceased to exist and became Zimbabwe under Robert Mugabe. The song was no longer performed publicly, and it faded into obscurity—but it remained a symbol among Rhodesian veterans and expatriates, often resurfacing in online forums, reenactments, and niche military history circles. Today, “Rhodesians Never Die” is both historical artifact and political flashpoint. Some view it nostalgically, as a piece of proud settler identity and resistance; others view it as a relic of colonialism and white supremacy. It remains one of the most well-known cultural products of the Rhodesian era—a musical flag planted in the soil of a lost country.