Himno de Riego

Himno de Riego

English: Anthem of Riego
National anthem of Spanish Republic
Lyrics	Evaristo San Miguel, 1820
Music	José Melchor Gomis, 1820
Adopted	1822, 1873 and 1931
Relinquished	1823, 1874 and 1939

The Himno de Riego ("Anthem of Riego") is a song dating from the Liberal Triennium and named in honour of Colonel Rafael del Riego, composed by José Melchor Gomis. It was the national anthem of Spain during the Trienio Liberal (1820–1823) and the First (1873–1874) and Second Spanish Republics (1931–1939).

2003 Davis Cup controversy

At the Davis Cup tennis finals held in Australia in 2003, James Morrison performed El himno de Riego instead of Spain's current national anthem, the Marcha Real ("Royal march"). Australian officials claimed there was an error on the CD provided to the musician, but Spanish sport authorities still issued an official protest.

Original lyrics

Spanish lyrics Serenos y alegres, valientes y osados, Cantemos, soldados, el himno a la lid. De nuestros acentos el orbe se admire Y en nosotros mire los hijos del Cid. Soldados, la patria nos llama a la lid. Juremos por ella vencer o morir. El mundo vio nunca, más noble osadía, Ni vio nunca un día más grande el valor, Que aquel, inflamados, nos vimos del fuego, Excitar a Riego de Patria el amor. Soldados, la patria nos llama a la lid. Juremos por ella vencer o morir. La trompa guerrera sus ecos al viento, Horror al sediento, ya ruge el cañón. A Marte sañudo la audacia provoca Y el ingenio invoca de nuestra nación. Soldados, la patria nos llama a la lid. Juremos por ella vencer o morir.

English translation Serene and happy, brave and daring, Let us sing, soldiers, the battle hymn. Our voices shall astonish the world Which will see on us the children of the Cid. Soldiers, the country calls us to the fight. Let us swear for her to succeed or to die. Never saw the world more noble daring, Nor any day greater valor was shown, Than that, inflamed, we showed at the fire Awaken in Riego the love of his land. Soldiers, the country calls us to the fight. Let us swear for her to conquer or to die. The war trumpet echoes to the winds; Affrighting the greedy, the cannon now roars. at Mars, wrathful provokes the audacity And the ingenuity of our nation. Soldiers, the country calls us to the fight. Let us swear for her to succeed or to die.

Satirical lyrics

This alternative version was extremely popular amongst Spaniards, particularly in Catalonia, during the Spanish Civil War. The rudeness of the lyrics reflects the dislike of Republican Spain for the church and the monarchy. After the war, these lyrics continued to be sung, by Franco's detractors and enemies. Such was the popularity of these lyrics that even today many people, particularly younger ones, think they are in fact the official ones.

Spanish and Catalan lyrics (Spanish) Si los curas y frailes supieran, la paliza que les van a dar, subirían al coro cantando: "¡Libertad, libertad, libertad!" (Spanish) Si los Reyes de España supieran lo poco que van a durar, a la calle saldrían gritando: "¡Libertad, libertad, libertad!" (Catalan) La Reina vol corona? Corona li darem... que vingui a Barcelona I el coll li tallarem! (Spanish) Un hombre estaba cagando, y no tenía papel, pasó el Rey Alfonso XIII ¡Y se limpió el culo con él!

Translation (From Spanish) If priests and monks knew; the beating they're going to receive, they'd make a chorus and sing: "Liberty, liberty, liberty!" (From Spanish) If the Kings of Spain knew how little they're going to last, they'd go out on the street and sing: "Liberty, liberty, liberty!" (From Catalan) The queen wants a crown? We'll give her a crown... Let her come to Barcelona And we'll cut her head off! (From Spanish) A man was pooping But had no paper. King Alfonso XIII came by So he wiped his ass with him.

Spanish Translation of Catalan Verse

¿La reina quiere una corona?
Corona le daremos
que venga a Barcelona

¡Y el cuello le cortaremos!

External links

• MP3 file
• The Davis Cup incident