Marigot in Saint-Martin, Saint Martin, Overseas France — Caribbean Region (Lesser Antilles)
Father Gerard Kemps
A legacy of island pride
Photographed by J. J. Prats, December 4, 2017
1. Father Gerard Kemps Marker
This historical marker is a stone tablet, with a carved and painted inscription.
O sweet Saint Martin’s land
Where over the word say, where
you find an Island there,
So lovely small with nations free,
With people French and Dutch,
Though talking English much,
As thee Saint Martin in the sea?
Chorus:
O sweet Saint Martin’s land
so bright by beach and strand
With sailors on the sea and harbors free
Where the chains of mountains green
Colorful in sunlight sheen.
Full version at the Arwak Museum.
Erected by the Rotary Club of St. Martin.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Arts, Letters, Music. In addition, it is included in the Rotary International series list. A significant historical date for this entry is March 18, 1902.
Location. 18° 4.128′ N, 63° 5.063′ W. Marker is in Marigot, Saint Martin, in Saint-Martin. It is at the intersection of the street that climbs to the Catholic Church
this page online
Regionally, it is one of the Lesser Antilles on the Caribbean Sea, on in the Atlantic Ocean, and in North America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Old Town Hall of Marigot (within shouting distance of this marker); Capt. Arsene Hubert Hodge (approx. 6.5 kilometers away in Sint Maarten); Ter Herdenking Van Onze Gevallenen / In Remembrance of Our Fallen (approx. 6.5 kilometers away in Sint Maarten); St. Joseph Convent 1890 (approx. 6.7 kilometers away in Sint Maarten); Sint Rose Hospital (approx. 6.7 kilometers away in Sint Maarten); Frontstreet Merchants (approx. 7.4 kilometers away in Sint Maarten); The Old Police Station (approx. 7.4 kilometers away in Sint Maarten); St. Maarten Gingerbread Market Stalls (approx. 7.4 kilometers away in
Photographed by J. J. Prats, December 4, 2017
2. Father Gerard Kemps Marker
Also see . . .
1. Wikipedia entry for “O Sweet Saint Martin's Land”. This entry contains the full lyrics to the song. Excerpt:
“O Sweet Saint Martin's Land,” also known by its French title, “Saint-Martin, si jolie” (“Saint Martin, So Pretty”), is the bi-national song of Saint-Martin / Sint Maarten island, an island divided between the French Republic and the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It was written in English (the main language of Saint Martin) by Gerard Kemps in 1958. Kemps also wrote and composed a French version with its own lyrics and a different tune.(Submitted on November 4, 2022, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.)
After being appointed as priest for the Catholic Church of French St-Martin in 1954, Father Gerard Kemps felt compelled to compose lyrics and a melody about the beauty of the land of Saint Martin. In 1958, Kemps created "O Sweet Saint Martin's Land". Because of the message the lyrics conveyed and the melody that carried the tune, it served the purpose of a national song.
In 1984, on the occasion of the Dutch Queen's Birthday, Kemps was knighted in the Order of Orange-Nassau.
2. 45-RPM Recording of “O Sweet Saint Maarten's Land” - 4 minutes.
3. Father Gerard Kemps (1901–1990)
Detail on the historical marker plaque, a portrait of Father Kemps .
Da Capo label, 1980 reissue, pressing number 8006, side A. Stereo. Studio Jan Theelen b.v., Karolhoeve, Munstergeleen. STEMRA - Made in Holland. (Submitted on November 5, 2022, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.)
Credits. This page was last revised on September 14, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 4, 2022, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 703 times since then and 64 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 4, 2022, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.
