Translation:
Strum all your koras, strike the balafons.
The red lion has roared.
The tamer of the forest has leapt in one bound,
Dispelling the darkness.
Sun on our lands, sun in our hearts,
Ardent in labor and proud.
Let us banish fear, let us make the sun rise,
Our honor is without stain.
O Senegalese, stand among the very first!
At the left of humanity!

• The Senegalese anthem is a rhythmic masterpiece that captures the soul of West African musical tradition. The title itself—"Strum all your koras, strike the balafons"—invites an immediate sensory connection to the country's heritage. In the stands, the atmosphere is electric and percussive; fans don't just stand still, they sway and clap to the underlying beat, turning the anthem into a communal rhythmic event. Composed by Herbert Pepper and adopted upon independence in 1960, the lyrics by Léopold Sédar Senghor (Senegal's first president and a renowned poet) are deeply evocative, focusing on the "Lion" that symbolizes the nation’s strength. When the crowd reaches the refrain, the stadium pulses with a distinct, joyful energy that feels entirely different from the somber tones of many European anthems, effectively turning every match start into a vibrant cultural celebration.