Marcha Real
| English: Royal March | |
|---|---|
.svg) The coat of arms of Spain |
|
|
National anthem of  Spain
|
|
| Lyrics | None |
| Music | Bartolomé Pérez Casas, Francisco Grau |
| Adopted | 1770 |
| Music sample | |
|
|
|
The Marcha Real (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈmartʃa reˈal], "Royal March") is the national anthem of Spain. It is one of the two national anthems (along with that of Bosnia and Herzegovina) in the world to have no official lyrics.[1]
The anthem, one of the oldest in the world, was first printed in a document dated 1761 and entitled Libro de Ordenanza de los toques militares de la Infantería Española (The Spanish Infantry's Book of Military Bugle and Fife Calls), by Manuel de Espinosa. Here it is entitled La Marcha Granadera ("March of the Grenadiers"), although no composer's name is given.
In 1770, King Charles III declared the Marcha Granadera to be the official "Honour March" for the Sovereigns and the Royal Family, as it was played at public and ceremonial events, and because it was always played at public events attended by the royal family, Spaniards soon came to regard the Marcha Granadera as their national anthem and called it the Marcha Real, or "Royal March".
Under the Second Spanish Republic (1931–1939) and the Trienio Liberal (1820-1823), El Himno de Riego replaced La Marcha Real as the national anthem of Spain. At the conclusion of the Civil War, however, Francisco Franco restored La Marcha Real as the country's national anthem, under its old title of La Marcha Granadera.
Contents |
Current version [edit]
The current official version, as described in Royal Decree 1560/1997,[2] is a sixteen-bar long phrase, divided in two sections, each one is made up of four repeated bars (AABB form). Tempo is set to ♩= 76 and key to B flat.
There is a short version without the repetitions that is used depending on the occasion when the anthem is performed. The long one is kept for the King, while the short must be performed to the President of the Government (Prime Minister), the Prince, or in sport.
There are also three official performances by a symphony orchestra, a military band, and an organ, written by Francisco Grau Vegara and requested by the Government of Spain. All in all, there are six different official adaptations. They all were recorded by the Spanish National Orchestra and the Spanish Royal Guard Band as an official recording and released on compact disc for a limited period of time.[3]
Copyright issues [edit]
As the harmonization of the Marcha Real was written by Bartolomé Pérez Casas in the early 1900s, the copyright has not yet expired. The government bought it from Pérez Casas' estate in 1997 for 130,000,000 pesetas (~ € 781,316) to avoid future legal problems.[4] Until it expires, the copyright belongs to the Spanish Ministry of Culture, and collecting societies charge copyright fees, which has led to criticism.[5]
As a result, many different harmonizations are performed to avoid paying. Nonetheless, the rights to the 1997 Francisco Grau revision were transferred to the government at no charge, although they were not placed in the public domain.[6]
Lyrics [edit]
Though the Marcha Real has no lyrics, words have been written and used for it in the past. One version was used during Alfonso XIII's reign and another during General Franco's dictatorship; however, none of them were ever made official. The national anthem has been played without words since 1978, when the lyrics that had been approved by General Francisco Franco were abandoned.[7]
Lyric competition [edit]
After witnessing a rendition of "You'll Never Walk Alone" at Anfield in 2007, the President of the Spanish Olympic Committee, Alejandro Blanco, said he felt inspired to seek lyrics to La Marcha Real ahead of Madrid's bid to host the 2016 Olympic Games.[8][9] Politicians, including the PM José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, steered clear of the issue in order not to alienate some Basques, Catalans, or Galicians who tend to identify with their own regions rather than with the Spanish state.[10] A number of the autonomous communities of Spain have their own anthems. An open competition for the lyrics resulted in 7,000 entries.[11]
Proposed lyrics [edit]
|
Spanish lyrics ¡Viva España! |
English lyrics Long live Spain! |
|
Basque Translation Gora Espainia! Dezagun guztiak elkarrekin abesten, ahots desberdinak, eta bakarra bihotza. Gora Espainia! Ibar berdeak, aurrera la erraldoi itsasoa, a senidetasun ereserki. Maitasuna la Patria, horrek badaki nola besarkatu, zeru urdina, beheko askatasunean herriak. Aintza semeak, Nor ari da historia ematen, Justizia eta handitasuna, demokrazia eta bakea. |
Catalan translation Visca Espanya! Anem tots a cantar junts, amb veus diferents, i un sol cor. Visca Espanya! Des dels verds valls, l'immens mar, un himne de germanor. L'amor a la Pàtria, que sap abraçar, sota el cel blau, pobles en llibertat. Glòria als fills, que donen a la història, la justícia i grandesa, la democràcia i la pau. |
Galician translation Viva España! Imos todos cantar xuntos, con voces diferentes, e un só corazón. Viva España! Dos vales verdes, ao inmenso mar, un himno da fraternidade. Amor da Patria, que sabe abrazar, baixo do ceo azul, pobos en liberdade. Gloria aos fillos, que a historia dá, xustiza e grandeza, democracia e da paz. |
On January 16, 2008, just five days after presenting the competition winner to the public, the Spanish Olympic Committee withdrew the proposal after widespread public criticism due to the lyrics' supposed nationalist tone.[14]
Former lyrics [edit]
Alfonso XIII lyrics [edit]
- Lyrics by Eduardo Marquina (1879–1946)
Gloria, gloria, corona de la Patria, soberana luz que es oro en tu color.
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 color.
Púrpura y oro: bandera inmortal; en tus colores, juntas, carne y alma están.
- English language version
Glory, glory, crown of the Motherland sovereign light which in your standard is gold.
Life, life, future of the Motherland, 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 Motherland sovereign light which in your standard is gold.
Purple and gold: immortal flag; in your colors, together, flesh and soul are.
- Basque language version
Gora Espainia! Denok batera abes dezagun ahots ezberdinez bihotz bakarrez
Gora Espainia! Haran berdeetatik itsaso zabaleraino anaitasun ereserkia
Maita ezazu aberria besarkada ematen dielako zeru urdinaren pean herri askeei
Justizia eta handitasuna demokrazia eta bakea Historiari ekartzen dioten seme-alabei loria
- Catalan Translation
Glòria, glòria, corona de la Pàtria sobirana llum que en el seu estàndard és d'or.
la vida la vida, el futur de la Pàtria, en els teus ulls és un cor obert
Bandera d'Espanya Porpra i or: bandera immortal; Ministeri d'Educació en els teus colors, juntes, carn i ànima hi són.
Porpra i or: voler i aconseguir; Tu ets, bandera, el signe de l'humà afany.
Glòria, glòria, corona de la Pàtria sobirana llum que en el seu estàndard és d'or.
Porpra i or: bandera immortal; en els teus colors, juntes, carn i ànima hi són.
- Galician Translation
Gloria, gloria, coroa da Patria soberano luz que no seu defecto é ouro.
Vida, vida, futuro da Patria, nos seus ollos é un corazón aberto
Bandeira de España Púrpura e ouro: bandeira inmortal; en túas cores, xuntas, carne e alma están.
Púrpura e ouro: a querer e conseguir; Está, a bandeira, o sinal do esforzo humano.
Gloria, gloria, coroa da Patria soberano luz que no seu defecto é ouro.
Púrpura e ouro: bandeira inmortal; en túas cores, xuntas, carne e alma están. Franco lyrics
- Lyrics by José María Pemán (1897–1981)
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 language version
Long live Spain, raise your arms, sons of the Spanish people, who are rising again.
Glory to the Motherland that knew how to follow, over the blue of the sea the path of the sun.
Glory to the Motherland 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 Motherland that knew how to follow, over the blue of the sea the path of the sun.
Glory to the Motherland that knew how to follow, over the blue of the sea the path of the sun.
- Basque Translation
Gora Espainia, besoak goratzen, seme jende Espainiako Nor dira berriro igotzen.
Nahi Patria du Aintza duten zekien jarraitu, itsas eguzkiaren bidea urdina gainean.
Nahi Patria du Aintza duten zekien jarraitu, itsas eguzkiaren bidea urdina gainean.
Espainiako garaipenak! Ingudea eta gurpilak nahi erritmoak diru fede ereserkia da.
Espainiako garaipenak! Ingudea eta gurpilak nahi erritmoak diru fede ereserkia da.
Haiekin batera dezagun jarrera eta diru lan eta bakearen berri eta indartsuak bizitza.
Haiekin batera dezagun jarrera eta diru lan eta bakearen berri eta indartsuak bizitza.
Gora Espainia, igo zure besoak, seme jende Espainiako Nor dira berriro igotzen.
Gora Espainia, igo zure besoak, seme jende Espainiako Nor dira berriro igotzen.
Nahi Patria du Aintza duten zekien jarraitu, itsas eguzkiaren bidea urdina gainean.
Nahi Patria du Aintza duten zekien jarraitu, itsas eguzkiaren bidea urdina gainean.
- Catalan Translation
Visca Espanya, alceu els braços, fills del poble espanyol, que torna a ressorgir.
Glòria a la Pàtria que va saber seguir, sobre el blau del mar el caminar del sol.
Glòria a la Pàtria que va saber seguir, sobre el blau del mar el caminar del sol.
¡Triomfa Espanya! Les encluses i les rodes cantar al ritme l'himne de la fe.
¡Triomfa Espanya! Les encluses i les rodes cantar al ritme l'himne de la fe.
Al costat d'ells anem a posar-se dret i cantar la vida nova i forta del treball i la pau.
Al costat d'ells anem a posar-se dret i cantar la vida nova i forta del treball i la pau.
Visca Espanya, alceu els braços, fills del poble espanyol, que torna a ressorgir.
Visca Espanya, alceu els braços, fills del poble espanyol, que torna a ressorgir.
Glòria a la Pàtria que va saber seguir, sobre el blau del mar el caminar del sol.
Glòria a la Pàtria que va saber seguir, sobre el blau del mar el caminar del sol.
- Galician Translation
Viva a España, a erguer os brazos, fillos do pobo español, que están crecendo de novo.
Gloria á Patria que soubo seguir, sobre o azul do mar, o camiño do sol.
Gloria á Patria que soubo seguir, sobre o azul do mar, o camiño do sol.
España vence! Os batentes e as rodas cantar ao ritmo do himno da fe.
España vence! Os batentes e as rodas cantar ao ritmo do himno da fe.
Xunto con eles imos ir e cantar a vida nova e poderosa do traballo e da paz.
Xunto con eles imos ir e cantar a vida nova e poderosa do traballo e da paz.
Viva a España, a erguer os brazos, fillos do pobo español, que están crecendo de novo.
Viva a España, a erguer os brazos, fillos do pobo español, que están crecendo de novo.
Gloria á Patria que soubo seguir, sobre o azul do mar, o camiño do sol.
Gloria á Patria que soubo seguir, sobre o azul do mar, o camiño do sol.
Carlist lyrics [edit]
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 language version
Long live Spain, glory of traditions, with the single law can thrive.
Long live Spain, the mother of Nations, God, Motherland, 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.
- Basque Translation
Gora Espainia, tradizioak, aintza lege bakar daiteke aurrera.
Gora Espainia, Nazio, ama Dios, Patria, Rey dituen. gailenduko zuen
Perjurer gerra traidorea eta Hargin, bere arnasa ezpuruetan nazioaren lotzen zaio.
Zure bandera da bere aintza istorioa; izango begiratu Espainiako bere bizitza
benetako fede gorria maite duten imprisons Chihiroren a Eguzki-izpien.
- Catalan Translation
Visca Espanya, glòria de tradicions, amb la sola llei que pot prosperar.
Visca Espanya, que és mare de Nacions, amb Déu, Pàtria, Rei amb que va saber imperar.
Guerra al perjur traïdor i maçó, que amb el seu alè impur enfonsa la nació.
És la seva bandera la història de la seva glòria; per ella donarà la seva vida l'espanyol
Fe veritable que en vermell d'amor empresona coratjosa un raig de sol.
- Galician Translation
Viva España, gloria de tradicións, coa única lei pode prosperar.
Viva España, a nai das Nacións, Deus, Patria, Rei que el prevalece.
Guerra en que cometeu perxurioer traidor e Albanel, co seu impuro hálito mergulla a nación.
é a súa bandeira a historia da súa gloria; polo que vai manter súa vida no Español
verdadeira fe o amor que vermello aprisiona espirituoso un raio de sol.
Interpretation and etiquette [edit]
Military bands of the Spanish Armed Forces and the Cuerpo Nacional de Policia and civilian Marching bands and Concert bands play an A-major version of the anthem adapted for wind bands.
The bugle call "To the Colors" in Spain is the version played by Bugle bands in Spanish churches in religious occasions and processions organized by civil groups and the parishes. Various versions adapted for the drum and the bugle are used, even though brass instruments play the anthem as well. But in some bugle bands, the B flat version of the anthem (the official one, adapted for the bugle) is played.
Being the National Anthem, and in honor of the King and Queen of Spain, it's a common practice for all to stand once it is played. Even though it is also played in church events, respect for the King and Queen (and the Royal Family as well) is required by everyone in attendance.
See also [edit]
References [edit]
- ^ "Spain - Marcha Real". NationalAnthems.me. Retrieved 2011-11-23.
- ^ Boletín Oficial del Estado Royal Decree 1560/1997.
- ^ Official anthem release album cover.
- ^ Boletín Oficial del Estado Royal Decree 1543/1997.
- ^ "El himno da aún mucho dinero". Crónica. #604. May 27, 2007.
"Cuando el himno es de un particular". Periodista Digital. May 27, 2007. - ^ Boletín Oficial del Estado Royal Decree 2027/1998.
- ^ Divisive national anthem lyrics ditched Wed Jan 16, 2008
- ^ Liverpool fans help inspire Spain to write words to anthem Reuters, 5 June 2007
- ^ Spain to add lyrics to wordless national anthem MSNBC, 26 June 2007
- ^ "Lost for Words", The Economist, Vol 384 Number 8539.
- ^ "Spain: Lyrics for Anthem Pulled". Associated Press. January 18, 2008. Retrieved 2011-01-13.
- ^ http://gospain.about.com/od/spanishlife/qt/anthem_spanish.htm
- ^ http://gospain.about.com/od/spanishlife/qt/anthem_english.htm
- ^ "Controversy over lyrics stalls Placido Domingo's dream of singing Spanish anthem". International Herald Tribune. 16 January 2008. Retrieved on 17 January 2008.
Sheet music [edit]
External links [edit]
- The National Anthem (Prime Minister's Office site)
- Streaming audio, lyrics and information about the Marcha Real
- 2008 Spanish National Anthem Lyrics in English and in Spanish
- MIDI File
- MP3 version by the US Navy Band
- UNAMU - The "Union Nacional de Antiguos Oficiales y Suboficiales de las Milicias Universitarias" has a website about the anthem, with a complete instrumental version.
- English translation of the proposed new lyrics
