Song written by Virgin Islanders

The Official Territorial Song 'Oh, Beautiful Virgin Islands' will play when VI athletes win medals.

According to Dr Wheatley, the process to have the song replace the anthem was one that took several steps.

“At the International Olympic Committee, permission has to be sought from them for it to happen and the international Olympic committee said that is not a problem at all,” Hon Wheatley said.

Ahead of that, he said the BVI Olympic Committee (BVIOC) originally made the request but for the process to complete, it had to first go to Cabinet and now the House of Assembly (HoA).

According to Deputy Premier and Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr The Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), the move to have the Territorial Song 'Oh Beautiful Virgin Islands' replace 'God Save the Queen' at international and regional sporting events is especially important at a time when the Virgin Islands' relationship with the United Kingdom is one that creates a longing for individuality and pride for the Virgin Islands.

VI/UK relations creates longing for local pride – Hon Wheatley

According to Dr Wheatley, the Motion now is especially important at a time when the VI relationship with the UK is one that creates a longing for individuality and pride for the Virgin Islands.

Seconding the Motion was Minister for Transportation, Works and Utilities, Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5), who offered his full support for the Territorial Song to play at various international sports events when VI athletes score medals.

Hon Shereen D. Flax-Charles (AL) said tears will flow when a VI athlete wins a medal, while Hon Alvera Maduro-Caines (R6) also threw her full support beind the initiative, mentioning that the songwriters are from her district.

Legislators pledge support

Other legislators, including Hon Melvin M. Turnbull (R2) and Hon Mark H. Vanterpool (R4), contributed positively to the debate.

The debate on the Motion will continue on Thursday, September 24, 2020, with Opposition Leader Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8) yet to take the floor.

Once the Motion is successful, the Territorial Song 'Oh Beautiful Virgin Islands' will replace 'God Save the Queen' whenever Virgin Islands athletes win medals at regional and international sporting events.

‘Oh Beautiful Virgin Islands’

“Oh Beautiful Virgin Islands” originally was composed in 2012 by Virgin Islanders, Ayana S. Hull and her brother, Kareem Nelson Hull.

The song, which was originally arranged by Mr Howard John, was officially adopted as the Territorial Song by resolution of the House of Assembly of the Virgin Islands on July 24, 2012.

As a British Overseas Territory "God Save the Queen" is the VI’s official national anthem.

The rousing, 80-second, orchestral version of the Territorial Song was arranged by Mr Alton A. Bertie, an Elmore Stoutt High School alumnus who graduated in the field of Film Scoring and Song Writing from the Berklee College of Music in Boston, USA.