"Gem of Panem" was the Capitol's anthem during the Dark Days and the early days of the Hunger Games.[1]
History[]
The song was performed by the Grandma'am, Coriolanus Snow's grandmother, in a quavery, off-key voice. In the first year of the war, she played the recording on national holidays for young Coriolanus and Tigris. When district rebels surrounded the Capitol, the Grandma'am began to warble the anthem through a window daily as an act of defiance while their home was under siege, bombs raining down around her and her family.[1]
"Gem of Panem" played at the beginning of the early Hunger Games reapings. Everybody listening was required to rise and sing along.[2]
The song was also performed during important events such as funerals. Due to his knowledge of the song from his grandmother, Coriolanus was able to give a strong performance of it during Arachne Crane's funeral, impressing his instructors and President Ravinstill.[3] A recording of his singing was later replayed for the funeral of Diana and Apollo Ring.[4] Despite Coriolanus' familiarity with the anthem, other Academy students fumbled for the words.[2][5]
Sejanus Plinth cited the lyrics of the song when trying to make an argument against the Hunger Games, saying that Panem's government was supposed to protect everyone and give them light, not just citizens of the Capitol.[6] In District 12, when Dr. Kay first introduced Coriolanus to the mockingjays, he sung the anthem for the birds to mimic and harmonize.[7]
The song was still in use 40 years later, prior to the reaping for the 50th Hunger Games. According to Haymitch Abernathy, district citizens were supposed to sing along, but instead just mumbled whatever.[8]
Lyrics[]
Gem of Panem
Mighty city
Through the ages you shine anew
We humbly kneel
To your ideal
And pledge our love to you!
Gem of Panem
Heart of Justice
Wisdom crowns your marble brow
You give us light
You reunite
To you we make our vow
Gem of Panem
Seat of power
Strength in peacetime, shield in strife
Protect our land
With armored hand
Our Capitol
Our life
Media[]
On November 17th, 2023, an instrumental version of "Gem of Panem" was released on The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (Original Motion Picture Score).
Anthem- Gem of Panem (Instrumental)
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, Chapter 1
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, Chapter 2
- ↑ The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, Chapter 9
- ↑ The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, Chapter 10
- ↑ The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, Chapter 13
- ↑ The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, Chapter 6
- ↑ The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, Chapter 26
- ↑ Sunrise on the Reaping, Chapter 1