It was, as many guessed, an April Fools’ joke.

The story we carried this morning about the prospected changes to the national anthem sparked great interest as can be seen from the fact that it quickly climbed up the rankings in our Most Read stories section.

Still, others swallowed it as truth hook, line and sinker, and phoned up with their suggestions, even protests, that such things should not be done without prior consultation.

We thank all those people who took part in our vox pop, and for taking the joke in their stride.

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This was our original story

Parts of the national anthem will be changed to bring it in line with the era we are living in, The Malta Independent has learnt.

This portal has obtained a copy of the changes that are being envisaged later on this year, which is a special year for the country as it celebrated 35 years since Freedom Day (yesterday) and will be celebrating 10 years of European Union membership (1 May), 50 years of Independence (21 September) and 40 years of being a Republic (13 December).

One of the changes is the removal of the word “ruler” in the second part of the anthem, a term that has often created controversy in the past ever since Malta shed itself of British rule and became an independent country, and later a republic. Instead of “dehen lil min jahkimha” (give wisdom to the ruler), the phrase will be changed to “dehen lil Prim Ministru”, who as the head of government is responsible for the country’s administration.

Other changes will also be made to the verse that follows to explain the employer-employee relationship in more modern terms.

The changes are expected to be officially announced later on this year as the government gears up its activities to coincide with Independence Day and Republic Day.

The Malta Independent’s Therese Bonnici has gone to Valletta to ask for reactions to the changes envisaged.