Argentine National Anthem

The National Anthem of Argentina, or the Himno Nacional Argentino as it is known to its citizens, was adopted on May 11, 1813. Prior to its adoption, the nation had several anthems that were composed. The version that was introduced in 1813 was used through most of the 19th century. However, it was shortened to include only the first verse, chorus and last verse, which is the version that is used today.

The first anthem of the nation was first published in 1810. This anthem was known as the Patriotic March and was written by Esteban de Luca and Blas Parera. The theme of this anthem was the Peninsular War, when Spain was conquered by France. Two years later, the triumvirate commissioned a national anthem that was written by Cayetano Rodriguez and Blas Parera. This song, however, was determined to not be effective as a national anthem, so the following year, 1813, was when a call for lyrics to a new anthem was put out. A lawyer by the name of Vicente Lopez y Planes wrote a poem that was chosen as the best and the one that would be used as the new national anthem. Parera was once again tapped to create the music for this anthem.

Originally, this song was known as the National Patriotic Song, then was shorted to Patriotic Song. However, an arrangement dated from 1848 named the song Himno Nacional Argentino – the name that is still used today. One early problem that arose was that many variations of the anthem were being sung. In 1860, an official version was created. However, many of the changes were rolled back in 1927, bringing about a host of new problems. This version was eventually rejected and the original version was restored and confirmed as the official national anthem in 1944. Prior to this, the song was shortened to remove part of the song, leaving only the first and last versus and the chorus.

Argentina’s national anthem centers on the theme of independence. Previously, the longer version referenced the Spanish American wars of independence and events in other areas of the world but the decree of 1900 that shortened the song removed these parts.

Today, this national anthem is performed during all official events. Citizens are expected to stand and sing while it is playing. TV stations also play the national anthem before broadcasting ends for the day, while radio broadcasters play the song at midnight. Because it was adopted on May 11, this date has been designated as Anthem Day.

Argentine National Anthem Lyrics


lyricsauthor: Vicente López y Planes


Full Lyrics


Hear, mortals, the sacred cry:
"Freedom, freedom, freedom"
Hear the sound of broken chains,
see noble equality enthroned.
On the face of the earth rises
A glorious new nation.
Her head is crowned with laurels,
And a Lion lies defeated at her feet.


Chorus


May the laurels be eternal,
the ones we managed to win
Let us live crowned with glory
or swear to die gloriously




  1. From the new Champions their faces
    Mars himself seems to encourage
    Greatness nestles in their bodies:
    at their march they make everything tremble.
    The dead Inca are shaken,
    and in their bones the ardour revives
    which renews their children
    of the Motherland the ancient splendour.




  2. Mountain ranges and walls are felt
    to resound with horrible din:
    the whole country is disturbed by cries
    of revenge, of war and rage.
    In the fiery tyrants the envy
    spit the pestipherous bile;
    their bloody standard they rise
    provoking the most cruel combat.




  3. Don't you see them over Mexico and Quito
    throwing themselves with tenacious viciousness?
    And who they cry, bathed in blood,
    Potosí, Cochabamba and La Paz?
    Don't you see them over sad Caracas
    spreading mourning and weeping and death?
    Don't you see them devouring as wild animals
    all people who surrender to them?




  4. To you it dares, Argentines,
    the pride of the vile invader;
    your fields it steps on, retelling
    so many glories as winner.
    But the brave ones, that united swore
    their merry freedom to sustain,
    to those blood-thirsty tigers
    bold breasts they will know to oppose.




  5. The valiant Argentine to arms
    runs burning with determination and bravery,
    the war bugler, as thunder,
    in the fields of the South resounds.
    Buenos Ayres opposes, leading
    the people of the illustrious Union,
    and with robust arms they tear
    the arrogant Iberian lion.




  6. San José, San Lorenzo, Suipacha,
    both Piedras, Salta and Tucumán,
    La Colonia and the same walls
    of the tyrant in the Banda Oriental.
    They are eternal signboards they say:
    here the Argentine arm found triumph,
    here the fierce oppressor of the Motherland
    his proud neck bent.




  7. Victory to the Argentine warrior
    covered with its brilliant wings,
    and embarrassed at this view the tyrant
    with infamy took to flight.
    Its flags, its arms surrender
    as trophies to freedom,
    and above wings of glory the people rise
    the worthy throne of their great majesty.




  8. From one pole to the other resounds
    the fame of the sonorous bugler,
    and of America the name showing
    they repeat "Mortals, hear:
    The United Provinces of the South
    have now displayed their most honorable throne".
    And the free people of the world reply:
    "We salute the great people of Argentina!"