In a remarkable tale of cultural resonance, a Peace Corps volunteer’s 1969 composition has unexpectedly evolved into Dominica’s unofficial national anthem, traversing generations and media formats while capturing the island’s collective heart. Dr. Robert Maguire originally penned ‘Dominica, Land of Such Beauty’ during his service in the Caribbean nation, receiving a mere $25 EC dollars (under $10 USD) as one-time compensation—a document he cherishes as priceless memorabilia.
The song’s journey began with the Siffleur Montagne Chorale’s recording but gained momentum through unexpected channels. Decades after Maguire left Dominica for graduate studies, he discovered through a colleague in 1993 that his composition had become deeply meaningful to Dominicans, often evoking tears of nostalgia and national pride. This revelation marked the beginning of his awareness of the song’s cultural significance.
The digital age further propelled the anthem’s reach. In 1998, Maguire learned during a conference visit that Marpin Television had produced a music video set to the original recording. Later, in 2010, his daughter helped upload this video to YouTube, where it has since garnered over 22,789 views by late November 2025, making it accessible to global audiences.
Parallel revivals emerged through various artistic interpretations. The UK-based Dominican vocal group Sisserou included a cover on their 1997 album ‘Streets of Gold,’ while producer Earl Lawrence preserved the original on a 2006 CD reissue of Siffleur Montagne Chorale recordings. Most innovatively, music producer Cornell Phillip created a steel drum adaptation titled ‘Dominica in Pan’ in 2008, blending cadence-lypso and bouyon genres—a version now routinely used as bumper music on Dominican radio programs.
The song’s enduring appeal has also reconnected Maguire with lost friends from his Dominican days, including Wilma Bellot-Thomas, who now serves as his ‘Calypso Guru,’ keeping him informed about the island’s musical evolution. Despite generating no substantial royalties, the composition’s true value lies in its emotional impact on Dominicans at home and abroad, serving as a timeless tribute to the island’s natural beauty and cultural spirit that continues to resonate across generations.