Every country has an honorable national anthem and of course, Spain has one. Spain’s national anthem is unique since until now it does not have any official lyrics.
1. Spain’s national anthem is called La Marcha Real
Spain is one of the countries that does not have an official lyric on its national anthem. But that does not make their anthem any less better. Although there have been various attempts to make a lyrics on the anthem, during Alfonso XIII’s reign, and during General Franco’s dictatorship but since 1978 the anthem did not have any official and accepted lyrics until today.
2. It is one of the oldest anthem in the world
Source: Sebastien Bertrand
The anthem is first documented on 1761. It was first heard by the Libro de la Ordenanza de los Toques de Pifanos y Tambores que se tocan nuevamente en la ynfant Espanola or Book of the Ordinance of Newly Played Military Drum and Five Calls by the Spanish Infantry by Manuel de Espinosa.
3. It became an official anthem during Isabell’s reign
Source: Michael M
On year 1770, Charles III declared Marcha de Granaderos as the official march because it has been made a habit of playing the music in public and in solemn acts. After years, the name became La Marcha Real.
4. General Prim had a contest to create an official anthem
Source: Jocelyn Kinghorn
There was a contest of creating a national anthem by General Prim after the 1868 Revolution but then it was declared deserted because Marcha De Granados was already considered as such.
5. The actual symphonic version of Marcha Real belongs to Maestro Francisco Grau
Source: Nicholas Raymond
It was the official anthem after the Royal Decree of October 10, 1997. The anthem should have a tone of B major and a tempo of 76bpm with a form of 76bpm with a form of AAB and a duration of 52 seconds in which the anthem is.
6. On the second Spanish Republic, La Marcha Real was replaced
Source: Fdecomite
La March Real was replaced by El Himmo de Riego as the national anthem from 1931-1939. And then after the civil war, Francisco Franco made La Marcha Real as the anthem again under its old title “La Marcha Granadera”.
7.There are three official arrangements of the anthem
Source: Elentir
The first one is the orchestra, the second one is the military band and the third one is for organ. It was written by Grancisco Grau Vegara and was requested by the government of Spain.
8. There are some proposed lyrics for the anthem
Source: Elentir
One of the proposed lyrics is this:
Spanish lyrics
¡Viva España! Cantemos todos juntos con distinta voz y un solo corazón.
¡Viva España! Desde los verdes valles al inmenso mar, un himno de hermandad.
Ama a la Patria pues sabe abrazar, bajo su cielo azul, pueblos en libertad.
Gloria a los hijos que a la Historia dan justicia y grandeza democracia y paz.
English lyrics
Long live Spain! Let’s sing together, with different voices, and only one heart.
Long live Spain! From the green valleys, to the immense sea, a hymn of brotherhood.
Love the Fatherland, which knows how to embrace, below its blue sky, people in freedom.
Glory to the sons who have given to history justice and greatness, democracy and peace.
There has been a competition for the lyrics but five days after announcing the winner, the Spanish Olympic Committee cancelled the proposal because of severe public criticism.
9. There are also some former lyrics during the reign of Alfonso XIII, Franco and Carlist
Source: Son of Groucho
They were proposed but neither of them has became official. Here are some samples:
Alfonso XIII lyrics
Spanish Version
La bandera de España (Coro)
Gloria, gloria, corona de la Patria,
soberana luz
que es oro en tu Pendón.
Vida, vida, futuro de la Patria,
que en tus ojos es
abierto corazón…!
Púrpura y oro: bandera inmortal;
en tus colores, juntas, carne y alma están.
Púrpura y oro: querer y lograr;
Tú eres, bandera, el signo del humano afán.
Gloria, gloria, corona de la Patria,
soberana luz
que es oro en tu Pendón.
Púrpura y oro: bandera inmortal;
en tus colores, juntas, carne y alma están.
España guiadora (Solo)
¡Pide, España! ¡Tu nombre llevaremos
donde quieras tú;
que honrarlo es nuestra ley!
¡Manda, España, y unidos lucharemos,
porque vivas tú,
sin tregua pueblo y rey!
Una bandera gloriosa nos das;
¡nadie, viviendo, España, nos la arrancará!
Para que, un día, nos pueda cubrir,
¡danos, España, el gozo de morir por ti!
¡Viva España!… (Coro)
¡Viva España! Del grito de la Patria,
la explosión triunfal
abrió camino al sol;
¡Viva España! repiten veinte pueblos
y al hablar dan fe
del ánimo español…
¡Marquen arado martillo y clarín
su noble ritmo al grito de la Patria fe!
¡Guíe la mente a la mano hasta el fin,
al “Viva España” asista toda España en pie!
English version
Flag of Spain (Corus)
Glory, glory, crown of the Fatherland
sovereign light
which in your standard is gold.
Life, life, future of the Fatherland,
in your eyes it is
an open heart
Purple and gold: immortal flag;
in your colors, together, flesh and soul are.
Purple and gold: to want and to achieve;
You are, flag, the sign of human effort.
Glory, glory, crown of the Fatherland
sovereign light
which in your standard is gold.
Purple and gold: immortal flag;
in your colors, together, flesh and soul are.
Franco lyrics
Spanish version
Viva España, alzad los brazos, hijos
del pueblo español, que vuelve a resurgir.
Gloria a la Patria que supo seguir,
sobre el azul del mar el caminar del sol.
Gloria a la Patria que supo seguir,
sobre el azul del mar el caminar del sol.
¡Triunfa España! Los yunques y las ruedas
cantan al compás del himno de la fe.
¡Triunfa España! Los yunques y las ruedas
cantan al compás del himno de la fe.
Juntos con ellos cantemos de pie
la vida nueva y fuerte del trabajo y paz.
Juntos con ellos cantemos de pie
la vida nueva y fuerte del trabajo y paz.
Viva España, alzad los brazos, hijos
del pueblo español, que vuelve a resurgir.
Viva España, alzad los brazos, hijos
del pueblo español, que vuelve a resurgir.
Gloria a la Patria que supo seguir,
sobre el azul del mar el caminar del sol.
Gloria a la Patria que supo seguir,
sobre el azul del mar el caminar del sol.
English Version
Long live Spain, raise your arms, sons
of the Spanish people, who are rising again.
Glory to the Fatherland that knew how to follow,
over the blue of the sea the path of the sun.
Glory to the Fatherland that knew how to follow,
over the blue of the sea the path of the sun.
Spain triumphs! The anvils and wheels
sing to the rhythm of the hymn of the faith.
Spain triumphs! The anvils and wheels
sing to the rhythm of the hymn of the faith.
Together with them let’s stand and sing
the new powerful life of labour and peace.
Together with them let’s stand and sing
the new powerful life of labour and peace.
Long Live Spain, raise your arms, sons
of the Spanish people, who are rising again.
Long Live Spain, raise your arms, sons
of the Spanish people, who are rising again.
Glory to the Fatherland that knew how to follow,
over the blue of the sea the path of the sun.
Glory to the Fatherland that knew how to follow,
over the blue of the sea the path of the sun.
Carlist lyrics
Spanish version
Viva España,
gloria de tradiciones,
con la sola ley
que puede prosperar.
Viva España,
que es madre de Naciones,
con Dios, Patria, Rey
con que supo imperar.
Guerra al perjuro
traidor y masón,
que con su aliento impuro
hunde la nación.
Es su bandera
la historia de su gloria;
por ella dará
su vida el español
Fe verdadera
que en rojo de amor
aprisiona briosa
un rayo de sol.
English Version
Long live Spain,
glory of traditions,
with the single law
can thrive.
Long live Spain,
the mother of Nations,
God, Fatherland, King
with which he prevail.
War on perjured
traitor and Mason,
with his breath impure
plunges the nation.
Is your flag
the story of his glory;
for it will
his life in Spanish
True faith
love that red
imprisons spirited
a ray of sunshine.
10. It is a common practice for all to stand when the anthem is playing
Source: Steffen
To honor the Kind and the Queen of Spain, everyone present in a certain place where the anthem is playing should all stand as a sign of a respect to the royal family. It has been like that ever since up until now.
Have a good trip and travel!
