Two Grammar Errors in NYSC Anthem

As a current NYSC corp member who got inaugurated recently, I examined the lyrics of the NYSC Anthem. The line that caught my attention was the third line in the first verse: "Under the sun or in the rain."

📌 The phrase "under the sun" should be corrected to "in the sun." "Under the sun" is an idiom meaning "on earth" or "in existence," used to emphasize a large number of something. This meaning does not correlate with the context of the anthem. 

For example:

1. The library had every book under the sun on its shelves.

2. There is nothing new under the sun.

📌 On the other hand, "in the sun" refers to being exposed to sunlight or being outdoors in sunny weather, which fits the context of the anthem.

For example:

1. They spent the afternoon relaxing in the sun at the park.

2. The flowers thrive in the sun, blooming beautifully.

📌 Secondly, in the last stanza, the first line "Far and near" should be corrected to "Near and far." "Near and far" is the conventional phrase in English, emphasizing proximity before distance.

For example:

1. People came from near and far to celebrate the festival.

2. The news spread near and far.

UNDER THE SUN ❌

IN THE SUN ✅

FAR AND NEAR ❌

NEAR AND FAR ✅