In December, 2011, a competition was held to create a local anthem for the British Virgin Islands, being one of the very few British territories without a local anthem. The song was to address “who we are as a people” according to the Minister of Education and Culture.
The three finalists were presented and voted upon by the public on June 10, 2012, and the winning entry, written by the brother and sister team of Ayana and Kareem Hull was passed as the local anthem on September 3 of that year. The British “God Save the King” remains the official national anthem as it is a British territory.
The composition was titled “Oh Beautiful Virgin Islands” when it was originally composed (and this is the name given it in the subsequent bill making it the national song), but it has frequently been performed as “Oh British Virgin Islands”.
Special thanks to: Keith Terrett for the music file.