“Hymn Haïtienne,” an influential chant sung by the rebelling slaves, serves as a vehicle for the powerful energy embodied in the Haitian Revolution. The hymn was written in 1804 by Norman Shapiro. Its lyrics are an example of the Haitian people not simply claiming, but amplifying their identity (Haitian Hymn, Gaffeld). The religious imagery throughout the hymn illustrate both their connection to and tension with Christianity. What is interesting is that the Native American Haitians traditionally did not practice Christianity, rather it was brought to them by the Spanish. This religious allusion is seen in the hymn when Saint James is referenced. Saint James is a prominent figure to the Spanish people because he is often given the credit for bringing Christianity to Spain. While one might assume that the Haitians would reject Christianity as something worshipped by their former oppressors, they instead adapt this figure to fit their agenda.

In this song, the singers praise Dessalines, the leader of the Haitian Revolution and first president, for his leadership during the Haitian Revolution. While at first, it may seem as though they are praising God for helping them during their dangerous revolution, they are really honoring Dessalines as the father of their new nation (The Song of Dessalines, Lhérisson). By placing Dessalines in a role similar to a God for their nation, it shows their devotion to him, which is later exemplified by the people’s willingness to follow Dessalines’s orders to massacre the French people. In addition, making Dessalines a god-like figure further differentiates the ideas of the Haitians from those of the European colonists. Instead of worshipping the powerful European leaders like Napoleon they created their own. Finally, the song also works to praise the Haitian people. They emphasize how the fight for Haitian independence was a group effort, honoring all those who helped in the revolution. This emphasis conveys how although Haiti chooses to follow Dessalines, they still maintain their values of equality and fraternity. With the biblical allusions referenced earlier and this portrayal of Dessalines, the hymn works to establish a unique Haitian identity that combines elements of their enslaved past and their free future.

The current Haitian national anthem, “La Dessalinienne” (The Song of Dessalines), preserves the memory of Dessaline as a revolutionary figure that began with “Hymn Haitienne” almost one hundred years prior. Not only does the title of the national anthem honor Dessalines, but the lyrics themselves emphasise commemorating their forefathers. The praising of Dessalines in “Hymn Haïtienne” simply extends past the individual figure to the revolutionaries as a cohesive unit and upholds their memory. Additionally, the timing of the anthem and its use in the present reveals the continuity of pride in the revolution. The anthem was written almost one hundred years after the creation of “Hymn Haïtienne” and echoes a similar spirit. Around 1900 they were facing similar problems of continuity in the country. Through the overall positive sentiment and comparable structure in both pieces, the Haitian Revolution and its energy remain deeply ingrained in the hearts of the Haitian people.