"Gone Forth Beyond the Sea" was the national anthem of the Raj of Sarawak, and the first anthem of Sarawak overall. It was written by Margaret of Sarawak in 1872, in honour of Charles of Sarawak. The music was composed by George R.K. Freeth, the composition which was retained in the successor anthem. It was in use until the Raj was ceded to the United Kingdom in 1946.
The lyrics were written in English. Later anthems of Sarawak, as a state of Malaysia, would be written in Malay.
Lyrics[]
Gone forth beyond the sea
To clime… as yet unknown,
Where calls are made for thee,
To bear the sword and crown.
Advance, God speed, to save,
Creatures in jungles deep,
God's hand shall help the brave,
Tho'man's may rest in sleep,
Let Justice signalise,
And ev'ry voice resound,
Who by the Eastern crown'd.
Tho'past and gone in light,
Thy name is still renownd,
And as a chief in might,
Thy deeds are ever crown'd,
Let echoing vales redound,
By mountain, crag and nook,
Sing loud with joyous sound,
God Bless the Rajah Brooke.