National Anthem

Argentina

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.

In the complete version of the Anthem of May (as was christened by López) it is noted that the political vision portrayed is not only Argentinean, but Latin American. The lyrics are burningly independentist and anti-Spanish, as the country was at that time fighting for its independence from Spain. The anthem suffered a modification in 1860, commended to the musician Juan Pablo Esnaola, who arranged a more orchestrated and harmonically richer version of the original music.

During the 19th century, the Anthem was sung in its entirety. However, once the harsh feelings against Spain had disappeared and the country had become home to many Spanish immigrants, a modification was introduced by decree of President Roca on March 30, 1900.

Performance of the anthem is mandatory during all official events, and those in attendance are expected to stand up and sing it. Radio broadcasters voluntarily perform the anthem at midnight, while TV channels do so before closing down their daily broadcast. On national holidays, it is mandatory to perform the anthem at midnight and noon.

The following is the modern version, adopted in 1900, without the vivid attacks against Spain.

Spanish lyrics

Oíd, mortales, el grito sagrado:

"¡Libertad, libertad, libertad!"
Oíd el ruido de rotas cadenas,
ved en trono a la noble igualdad.

Ya su trono dignísimo abrieron
las Provincias Unidas del Sud
y los libres del mundo responden:
"Al gran pueblo argentino, ¡salud!"
Y los libres del mundo responden:
"Al gran pueblo argentino, ¡salud!"
Y los libres del mundo responden:
"Al gran pueblo argentino, ¡salud!"

Coro

Sean eternos los laureles
que supimos conseguir,
que supimos conseguir.
Coronados de gloria vivamos...
¡o juremos con gloria morir!,
¡o juremos con gloria morir!,
¡o juremos con gloria morir!

English Translation

Mortals! Hear the sacred cry:

"Freedom, freedom, freedom!"
Hear the noise of broken chains,
see the noble Equality enthroned.

The United Provinces of the South
have now opened their very honorable throne.
And the free people of the world reply:
"We salute the great people of Argentina!"
And the free people of the world reply:
"We salute the great people of Argentina!"
And the free people of the world reply:
"We salute the great people of Argentina!"

Chorus

May the laurels be eternal
that we knew how to win,
that we knew how to win.
Let us live crowned with glory...
or swear to die gloriously!
Or swear to die gloriously!
Or swear to die gloriously!

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