The "Himno Nacional de Uruguay" (English: "National Anthem of Uruguay"), also known by its incipit "Orientales, la Patria o la Tumba" (English: "Easterners,[lower-alpha 1] the Country or the Tomb"),[1] is the longest national anthem in terms of duration with 105 bars of music.[2] When performed in its entirety, the anthem lasts about four-and-a-half to six minutes, although nowadays only the first verse and chorus are sung on most occasions,[3] such as before sporting events.
Its martial[4] lyrics are by the Uruguayan poet Francisco Acuña de Figueroa, who also wrote the lyrics for Paraguay's national anthem, "Paraguayos, República o Muerte". The lyrics were officially declared the national anthem in July 1833.[5] Several proposed musical settings failed to gain public support.[6] The Rossini-inspired[7] music that eventually became universally associated with the anthem was composed by the Hungarian-born composer Francisco José Debali, with the assistance of Fernando Quijano, a Uruguayan actor and musician.[6] A few days after the first performance in July 1845, Debali's score was officially recognized as the music for the anthem.[8] As with other South American national anthems, the music was inspired by the local popularity of Italian opera.[7] It includes several references to La Cenerentola and other operas by Rossini, as well as a direct musical quotation from Lucrezia Borgia by Gaetano Donizetti.[7]
The French composer Camille Saint-Saëns is sometimes erroneously credited with having composed the music: although he was requested to write a hymn to celebrate the national independence day, his composition never became the national anthem.[9]
History
The Uruguayan poet Francisco Acuña de Figueroa, who also wrote the lyrics for Paraguay's national anthem "Paraguayos, República o Muerte", was responsible for the martial lyrics.[4] On 8 July 1833, Orientales, la Patria o la Tumba was officially recognized as Uruguay's national anthem.[5]
Several proposed musical settings of Figueroa's lyrics failed to gain public support.[6] One of the discarded settings was by the Spanish-born composer Antonio Sáenz.[10] A proposed melody by the Italian composer Francesco Casale became the basis for the music of the Paraguay national anthem.[11]
The Rossini-inspired[7] music that eventually became universally associated with the anthem was composed by the Hungarian-born composer Francisco José Debali, with the assistance of Fernando Quijano, a Uruguayan actor and musician.[6] The score was first performed on 19 July 1845, and it was officially recognized as the music for the anthem on 25 July 1848.[8]
Music
Francisco José Debali (born Debály Ferenc József, 1791 – 1859) was a Hungarian-born composer who emigrated to Uruguay in 1838 after previously working in the Kingdom of Sardinia and Turin.
Of note, the music for the Uruguayan national anthem is sometimes erroneously attributed to Camille Saint-Saëns.[9] It is true that during a visit to Uruguay in April 1916[12] Saint-Saëns was commissioned to write a hymn to celebrate the national independence day.[9] However, circumstances prevented the work, Partido colorado,[13][lower-alpha 2] from becoming the national anthem.[9]
Coro: 𝄆 ¡Orientales, la Patria o la Tumba! ¡Libertad o con gloria morir! 𝄇 ¡Es el voto que el alma pronuncia, Y que heroicos sabremos cumplir! 𝄆 ¡Es el voto que el alma pronuncia, Y que heroicos sabremos cumplir! ¡Que sabremos cumplir! 𝄇 𝄆 ¡Sabremos cumplir! 𝄇 ¡Sabremos cumplir!
I 𝄆 ¡Libertad, libertad, orientales! Este grito a la Patria salvó. Que a sus bravos en fieras batallas De entusiasmo sublime inflamó. 𝄇 De este don sacrosanto la gloria Merecimos: ¡tiranos, temblad! 𝄆 ¡Tiranos, temblad! 𝄇 Libertad en la lid clamaremos, Y muriendo, ¡también libertad! Libertad en la lid clamaremos, 𝄆 Y muriendo, ¡también libertad! Y muriendo, ¡también libertad! 𝄇 𝄆 ¡También libertad! 𝄇
Coro
Chorus: 𝄆 Easterners, the Fatherland or the grave! Freedom or with glory we die! 𝄇 It is the vow that the soul pronounces, and which, heroically we will fulfill! 𝄆 It is the vow that the soul pronounces, and which, heroically we will fulfill! 𝄇 Which we will fulfill! 𝄆 We will fulfill! 𝄇 We will fulfill!
I 𝄆 Freedom, Freedom, Easterners! This cry saved the fatherland. Which her brave warriors, in fierce battles With sublime enthusiasm fill´d. 𝄇 From this sacred gift the glory we deserved Tyrants: Tremble! 𝄆 Tyrants: Tremble! 𝄇 Freedom in combat we shall cry out! And dying, Freedom too! Freedom in combat we shall cry out! 𝄆 And dying, Freedom too! And dying, Freedom too! 𝄇 𝄆 Freedom too! 𝄇
Coro: 𝄆 ¡Orientales, la Patria o la Tumba! ¡Libertad o con gloria morir! 𝄇 𝄆 ¡Es el voto que el alma pronuncia, Y que heroicos sabremos cumplir! 𝄇 ¡Es el voto que el alma pronuncia, Y que heroicos sabremos cumplir!
I ¡Libertad, libertad, orientales! Este grito a la Patria salvó. Que a sus bravos en fieras batallas De entusiasmo sublime inflamó. De este don sacrosanto, la gloria merecimos: ¡tiranos, temblad! Libertad en la lid clamaremos, Y muriendo, ¡también libertad!
II Dominado la Iberia dos mundos Ostentaba su altivo poder, Y a sus plantas cautivo yacía El Oriente sin nombre ni ser: Mas, repente sus hierros trozando Ante el dogma que Mayo inspiró, Entre libres, déspotas fieros, Un abismo sin puente se vio.
III Su trozada cadena por armas, Por escudo su pecho en la lid, De su arrojo soberbio temblaron Los feudales campeones del Cid: En los valles, montañas y selvas Se acometen con muda altivez, Retumbando con fiero estampido Las cavernas y el cielo a la vez.
IV El estruendo que en torno resuena De Atahualpa la tumba se abrió, Y batiendo sañudo las palmas Su esqueleto, ¡venganza! gritó: Los patriotas el eco grandioso Se electrizan en fuego marcial, Y en su enseña más vivo relumbra De los Incas el Dios inmortal.
V Largo tiempo, con varia fortuna, Batallaron liberto, y señor, Disputando la tierra sangrienta Palmo a palmo con ciego furor. La justicia, por último, vence Domeñando las iras de un Rey; Y ante el mundo la Patria indomable Inaugura su enseña la ley.
VI Orientales, mirad la bandera, De heroísmo fulgente crisol; Nuestras lanzas defienden su brillo, ¡Nadie insulte la imagen del Sol! De los fueros civiles el goce Sostengamos; y el código fiel Veneremos inmune y glorioso Como el arca sagrada Israel.
VII Porque fuese más alta tu gloria, Y brillasen tu precio y poder, Tres diademas, oh Patria, se vieron Tu dominio gozar, y perder. Libertad, libertad adorada, ¡Mucho cuestas, tesoro sin par! Pero valen tus goces divinos Esa sangre que riega tu altar
VIII Si a los pueblos un bárbaro agita, Removiendo su extinto furor, Fratricida discordia evitemos, ¡Diez mil tumbas recuerdan su horror! Tempestades el Cielo fulmina, maldiciones desciendan sobre él, Y los libres adoren triunfante de las leyes el rico joyel.
IX De laureles ornada brillando La Amazona soberbia del Sud, En su escudo de bronce reflejan Fortaleza, justicia y virtud. Ni enemigos le humillan la frente, Ni opresores le imponen el pie: Que en angustias selló su constancia Y en bautismo de sangre su fe.
X Festejando la gloria, y el día De la nueva República el Sol, Con vislumbres de púrpura y oro, Engalana su hermoso arrebol. Del Olimpo la bóveda augusta Resplandece, y un ser divinal Con estrellas escribe en los cielos, Dulce Patria, tu nombre inmortal.
XI De las leyes el Numen juremos Igualdad, patriotismo y unión, Inmolando en sus aras divinas Ciegos odios, y negra ambición. Y hallarán los que fieros insulten La grandeza del Pueblo Oriental, Si enemigos, la lanza de Marte Si tiranos, de Bruto el puñal.
Coro: 𝄆 ¡Orientales, la Patria o la Tumba, Libertad o con gloria morir! 𝄇 𝄆 ¡Es el voto que el alma pronuncia, Y que heroicos sabremos cumplir! 𝄇 ¡Que sabremos cumplir! ¡Es el voto que el alma pronuncia, Y que heroicos sabremos cumplir!
Chorus: 𝄆 Easterners, the Fatherland or the grave! Liberty or with glory we die! 𝄇 𝄆 It is the vow that the soul pronounces, and which, heroically we will fulfill! 𝄇 𝄆 It is the vow that the soul pronounces, and which, heroically we will fulfill! 𝄇
I Freedom, Freedom, Easterners! This cry saved the fatherland. That his bravery in fierce battles Of sublime enthusiasm enflamed. This sacred gift, of glory we've deserved: tyrants tremble! Freedom in battle we'll cry, And in dying, freedom we'll shout!
II Iberia worlds dominated He wore his haughty power, And their captive plants lay The East nameless be But suddenly his irons chopping Given the dogma that May inspired Among free despots fierce A bridge saw pit.
III His billet chain guns, On his chest shield in battle, In his superb courage trembled The feudal champions of the Cid In the valleys, mountains and jungles Are undertaken with silent pride, With fierce rumbling roar The caves and the sky at once.
IV The roar that echoes around Atahualpa the tomb was opened, And vicious beating palms Her skeleton, revenge! shouted Patriots to the echo It electrified in martial fire, And in his teaching more lively shines Of the Incas the immortal God.
V Long, with various fortunes, The freedman battled, and Lord, Disputing the bloody earth Inch by inch with blind fury. Justice finally overcomes Tamed the wrath of a king; And to the world the indomitable Homeland Inaugurates teaches law.
VI Easterners, look at the flag, Glittering crucible of heroism; Our spears defend their brightness, No one insults the image of the sun! In the civil jurisdiction the enjoyment Sustain and faithful Code Immune and glorious venerate Israel as the holy ark.
VII For your glory to be higher, And Shine your price and power, Three crowns, oh Fatherland, were Your domain enjoy, and lose. Freedom, freedom adored Much treasure unparalleled slopes! But they are worth your joys divine That blood that irrigates your altar
VIII If a barbarian people agitated, Removing his late fury Avoid fratricidal strife, Ten thousand tombs recall the horror! Heaven thunders storms, curses upon him, And the triumphant worship free the law to rich jewel.
IX Shining adorned with laurels The pride of the South Amazon, In his bronze shield reflect Fortaleza, justice and virtue. Enemies will not humiliate the front Neither foot oppressors imposed That sealed his record troubles And baptism of blood in their faith.
X Celebrating the glory and the day Of the sun of this new republic With glimpses of purple and gold, Decks your beautiful glow. The August dome of Olympus Shines, and a divine being With stars in the heavens writes, Sweet Fatherland, your name immortal.
XI The law to swear to Numen Equality, patriotism and unity, Sacrificing their divine order Blind hatred, and black ambition. And find that insulting fierce The greatness of the Eastern People, For the enemies, the spear of Mars, For the tyrants the dagger of Brutus!
Chorus: 𝄆 Easterners, the Fatherland or the grave, Liberty or with glory, we die! 𝄇 𝄆 Is the vote that the soul pronounces, And which, heroically we will fulfill! 𝄇 We will fulfill! Is the vote that the soul pronounces, And which, heroically we will fulfill!
Notes
↑ The people of Uruguay are commonly referred to as orientales, meaning "easterners".
↑ Some uncertainty surrounds the actual existence of this work, which is not listed in the New Grove catalogue.[14]
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1 2 3 4 "Saint-Saëns the globe trotter: a much travelled composer". BBC Music Magazine. 25 November 2021. p.53. Saint-Saëns made two visits to Uruguay and is sometimes credited with having composed the country's national anthem. The government did, in fact, commission him to compose a hymn for the national day on 14 July. Subsequent political changes, however, and the elevation of 25 August as Uruguay's official independence day precluded Saint-Saëns's hymn from becoming the national anthem.
↑ "Antonio Sáenz". Diccionario Biográfico electrónico de la Real Academia de la Historia (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 25 November 2022.
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