Aboul-Qacem Echebbi was a Tunisian poet born in 1909 who is best known for writing the final two verses of Tunisia's national anthem. He obtained law and education degrees and had an interest in both modern and classical literature. Echebbi's poetry covered many topics from nature to patriotism. One of his most popular poems, "To the Tyrants of the World," became a rallying cry during the 2011 Tunisian revolution. Echebbi died in 1934 following heart issues.

1. Aboul-Qacem Echebbi
Mohamed Gassoumi
Tunisia

2. Aboul-Qacem Echebbi
(Arabic: Abū al-Qāsim ash-
Shābbī)
(24 February 1909 - 9 October 1934)
was a Tunisian poet. He is probably
best known for writing the final two
verses of the current National Anthem
of Tunisia, Humat al-Hima (Defenders
of the Homeland), that was written
originally by the Egyptian poet Mustafa
Sadik el-Rafii.

3. Echebbi was born in Tozeur,
Tunisia, on 24 February 1909,
the son of a judge. He obtained
his attatoui diploma (the
equivalent of the baccalureat) in
1928. In 1930, he obtained a
law diploma from the University
of Ez-Zitouna. The same year,
he married and subsequently
had two sons, Mohamed
Sadok, who became
a colonel in the Tunisian army,
and Jelal, who later became
an engineer.

4. The poet
He was very interested in modern literature in
particular, and translated romantic
literature, as well as old Arab literature. His
poetic talent manifested itself at an early age
and this poetry covered numerous topics, from
the description of nature to patriotism. His
poems appeared in the most prestigious
Tunisian and Middle-Eastern reviews. His
poem To the tyrants of the world became a
popular slogan chant during the 2011 Tunisian
and subsequently Egyptian demonstrations.
Echebbi died on 9 October 1934 at the Habib-
Thameur Hospital in Tunis, Tunisia following a
long history of cardiac disorders.

5. Popular Poems
To the Tyrants of the World
Hey you, despotic tyrant, Darkness lover and enemy
of life,
You scoffed at powerless people’s groans; And your
hands are tainted with their blood.
You embarked on empoisoning the allure of existence
and sowing prickles of grief in its horizons.
You will see! Don’t be deceived by spring time, Shining
sky and morning light
For in the wide horizon lurk darkness fright, Thunder
Rumble and stormy winds.
Woe betide you for flames are underneath ashes.
Who grows prickles reaps wounds.
Have a look there… where you cut off The people’s
heads and the flowers of hope;
You imbibed the heart of the earth with blood And
made it drunk with tears.
The flood, of blood, will wipe you away, and the flaring
gale will eat you up.

6. National Anthem
Chorus:O defenders of the
Homeland!Rally around to the
glory of our time!The blood
surges in our veins,We die for
the sake of our land.Let the
heavens roar with thunderLet
thunderbolts rain with fire.Men and
youth of Tunisia,Rise up for her
might and glory.No place for
traitors in Tunisia,Only for those
who defend her!We live and die
loyal to Tunisia,A life of dignity and
a death of glory.ChorusAs a nation
we inheritedArms like granite
towers.Holding aloft our proud flag
flying,We boast of it, it boasts of
us,Arms that achieve ambitions
and glory,Sure to realize our
hopes,Inflict defeat on foes,Offer
peace to friends.ChorusWhen the
people will to live,Destiny must
surely respond.Oppression shall
then vanish.Fetters are certain to
break.Chorus