Argentine National Anthem
The lyrics of the Himno Nacional Argentino (the national anthem of Argentina) were written by Vicente López y Planes, and the music was composed by Blas Parera. This song was adopted as the national anthem on May 11, 1813, three years before the formal declaration of independence from Spain. May 11 is therefore Anthem Day in Argentina.
Modern Version
The following is the modern version, adopted in 1900, without the vivid attacks against Spain.
Spanish lyrics | English translation | IPA transcription |
---|---|---|
Oíd, mortales, el grito sagrado: "¡Libertad, libertad, libertad!" Ya su trono dignísimo abrieron |
Hear mortals, the sacred cry: "Liberty, liberty, liberty!" To his dignified throne open the United Provinces of the South |
[o.ɪð mo.ɾta.les el ɣɾi.to sa.ɣɾa.ðo] |
2008 comprehensive translation, adapted for the tune
Same meaning, somehow more positive
O'Hear Mortals these sacred words...
We Are Free!, We Are Free!, We Are Free!
O'Hear the sounds of broken old chains,
See enthroned our great noble Flag!
Her glorious passage was for us unveiled,
By The United Provinces of the South.
And the world's free men now respond...
The Great Argentine people: We Greet!
The Great Argentine people: We Greet!
And the world's free men now respond...
The Great Argentine people: We Greet!
And the world's free men now respond...
The Great Argentine people: We Greet!
Chorus
May these Laurels be eternal,
Well we knew how to fetch them.
Well we knew how to fetch them.
Let us all live crowned with Glory,
Or full with Glory, let's swear to die.
Full with Glory, let's swear to die.
Full with Glory, let's swear to die.
|}
Original version
The original version, Marcha Patriótica, is as follows:
Spanish lyrics | English translation |
Oíd, mortales, el grito sagrado: Libertad, libertad, libertad. |
Mortals! Hear the sacred cry: Freedom, freedom, freedom! |
Coro Sean eternos los laureles, |
Chorus May the laurels be eternal, |
De los nuevos campeones los rostros Marte mismo parece animar |
From the new Champions their faces Mars himself seems to encourage |
Pero sierras y muros se sienten retumbar con horrible fragor: |
Mountain ranges and walls are felt to resound with horrible din: |
¿No los véis sobre México y Quito arrojarse con saña tenaz |
Don't you see them over Mexico and Quito throwing themselves with tenacious viciousness? |
A vosotros se atreve, argentinos, el orgullo del vil invasor; |
To you it dares, Argentinians, the pride of the vile invader; |
El valiente argentino a las armas corre ardiendo con brío y valor, |
The valiant Argentinian to arms runs burning with determination and bravery, |
San José, San Lorenzo, Suipacha, ambas Piedras, Salta y Tucumán, La Colonia y las mismas murallas del tirano en la Banda Oriental. Son letreros eternos que dicen: aquí el brazo argentino triunfó, aquí el fiero opresor de la Patria su cerviz orgullosa dobló. |
San José, San Lorenzo, Suipacha, both Piedras, Salta and Tucumán, |
La victoria al guerrero argentino con sus alas brillante cubrió, |
Victory to the Argentine warrior covered with its brilliant wings, |
Desde un polo hasta el otro resuena de la fama el sonoro clarín, |
From one pole to the other resounds the fame of the sonorous bugler, |
Sean eternos los laureles que supimos conseguir. |
May the laurels be eternal, that we knew how to win. |
Argentine National Anthem Media
The Argentine National Anthem being played for the first time in Mariquita Sánchez's house (painting by Pedro Subercaseaux)
Music sheet found in Santa Ana de Velasco, Bolivia, c. 1860