Marcha Real

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

La Marcha Real (The Royal March) is the national anthem of Spain. It is one of the few national anthems in the world to have no words.

Spain's national anthem is one of the oldest in Europe and its origins are unknown. Its first mention is in a document dated 1761: the Libro de Ordenanza de los toques militares de la Infantería Española — the Spanish Infantry Book of Military Bugle Calls — by Manuel de Espinosa. The tune was entitled La Marcha Granadera ("March of the Grenadiers"); however, no composer's name was given.

In 1770, King Carlos III declared the Marcha Granadera to be the official "Honour March", thereby according it a place at public and ceremonial events. 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), 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.

The current version was commissioned to Francisco Grau after the approval of the 1978 constitution.

In October 1997 a Royal Decree was promulgated regulating the official use of the Marcha Real as the national anthem of Spain.

1 Lyrics
- 1.1 Version used during Alfonso XIII's reign
- 1.2 Version used during general Franco's dictatorship
2 External links

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Lyrics

Though the Marcha Real has no lyrics nowadays, it did have lyrics in the past. One version was used during Alfonso XIII's reign and another during general Franco's dictatorship, whatever, none of them were ever official.

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Version used during Alfonso XIII's reign

Lyrics by Eduardo Marquina.

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.

Glory, glory, crown of the country

sovereign light
your standard is made of gold

Life, life, future of the country,
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 country
sovereign light
your standard is made of gold

Purple and gold: immortal flag;
in your colors, together, flesh and soul are.

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Version used during general Franco's dictatorship

Lyrics by José María Pemán:

¡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.

¡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 de trabajo y paz.

Long live Spain!

Raise your arms, sons and daughters
of the Spanish people
who is remerging again.
Glory to the country which knew how to follow
Over the blue sea the way of the sun.

Triumph Spain!
Anvils and wheels
sing in time to
the hymn of faith.

Standing alongside them we'll sing
the new and strong life of work and peace.

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