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This week we are looking at the National Anthem of Cuba the
anthem is called La Bayamesa (The Bayamo Song) was first performed in 1868
during the battle of Bayamo in a Cuban uprising against Spain. The author of
the song played a leading part in the battle and was captured by the Spaniards
and executed by a firing squad in 1870; it is said that just before the firing
squad executed Figueredo, he shouted one of the lines from the anthem: “Morir
por la Patria es vivir”.
It was officially adopted in 1902 but only using the first verse
as the song was considered too long, the anthem was retained even after the
communist revolution in 1959. The anthem is usually performed with a musical
introduction, which was composed by Antonio Rodriguez-Ferrer
Originally, the song had three verses. The last two were
excluded when the anthem was officially adopted in 1902, because the lyrics
were seen to be excessively anti-Spanish[7] and
too long compared with the other verses.
Spanish Lyrics for La Bayamesa
Al combate corred bayameses
Que la patria os contempla orgullosa
No temais una muerte gloriosa
Que morir por la patria es vivir
En cadenas vivir es vivir
En afrenta y oprobio sumidos
Del clarin escuchad el sonido
Alas armas valientes corred.
English Translation
Hasten to battle, men of Bayamo
For the homeland looks proudly to you
You do not fear a glorious death
Because to die for the country is to live.
To live in chains
Is to live in dishonour and ignominy
Hear the clarion call
Hasten, brave ones, to battle.
It may express bravery, but it still sounds like a raw battle cry.
ReplyDeleteYeah I thought that
DeleteIt's interesting that many of these songs came about in the mid to late 1800's.
ReplyDeleteYes I am surprised about how many date that far back
DeleteThe Star-Spangled Banner, our national anthem in the States, has several verses, too, but we only sing one of them. Blessings, Jo-Anne!
ReplyDeleteSo does our anthem
DeleteThere are some national anthems I recognize; probably from the Olympics and then others that Ive never heard of- Cuba is one of them.
ReplyDeleteNever heard it till I did this post
DeleteWhy do so many anthems talk about death and/or battles? I suppose because they all seem to have to fight to become a country and be independent. Makes sense, I suppose.
ReplyDeleteYeah may make sense but still a little odd to me
Delete