National Anthem of Colombia

Himno Nacional de la República de Colombia (National Anthem of the Republic of Colombia) is the official name of the national anthem of Colombia. Some times it is also referred by the first verse: ¡Oh Gloria Inmarcesible! ("O Unfading Glory!"), however this name is neither official nor in common use in Colombia.

History

In 1887, José Domingo Torres, combined his two passions of theatrical music and his love for his country to push for the creation of a national anthem for Colombia. He decided to use as the lyrics of the anthem an inspirational poem written by the then President Rafael Núñez commemorating the city of Cartagena, and asked his friend Oreste Sindici, an Italian opera teacher, to compose the music. (One common characteristic of Latin American epic anthems such as Colombia's is that the music often resembles Italian operas.) The anthem, containing eleven verses in total, was first performed in November of that year in a music hall in the public school where Sindici taught. The anthem was officially adopted by Congress in 1920, and an official transcription was made in 1946.

Spanish lyrics	English translation
CORO	CHORUS
¡Oh gloria inmarcesible! ¡Oh júbilo inmortal! En surcos de dolores el bien germina ya.	O unfading glory! O immortal joy! In furrows of pain goodness germinates now.
I	I
Cesó la horrible noche, la libertad sublime derrama las auroras de su invencible luz. La humanidad entera, que entre cadenas gime, comprende las palabras del que murió en la cruz.	The horrible night has ended, the sublime liberty pours the dawns of its invincible light. The whole humanity, crying in its chains, understands the words of the One who died on the Cross.
II	II
"¡Independencia!" grita el mundo americano; se baña en sangre de héroes la tierra de Colón. Pero este gran principio, "El rey no es soberano" resuena, y los que sufren bendicen su pasión.	"Independence!" cries the American world; bathed in the blood of its heroes the land of Columbus. Still, one great principle, "The king is not sovereign", resounds, and those who suffer bless its passion.
III	III
Del Orinoco el cauce se colma de despojos, de sangre y llanto un río se mira allí correr. En Bárbula no saben las almas ni los ojos, si admiración o espanto sentir o padecer.	The Orinoco's bed fills with the remains, of blood and a river crying is there seen. In Bárbula they don't know the souls nor the eyes, if admiration or horror feel or suffer.
IV	IV
A orillas del Caribe, hambriento un pueblo lucha, horrores prefiriendo a pérfida salud. ¡Oh, sí!, de Cartagena la abnegación es mucha, y escombros de la muerte desprecian su virtud.	On the shores of the Caribbean, famished the people fight, horrors preferring to treacherous health. O, aye! for Cartagena the abnegation is much, and the remains of death despises its virtue.
V	V
De Boyacá en los campos, el genio de la gloria, con cada espiga un héroe invicto coronó. Soldados sin coraza ganaron la victoria; su varonil aliento de escudo les sirvió.	From Boyacá in the fields, the genius of glory, for every ear a hero undefeated crowned. Soldiers without breastplate won victory; their virile breath as shield served.
VI	VI
Bolívar cruza el Ande que riegan dos océanos, espadas cual centellas fulguran en Junín. Centauros indomables descienden a los llanos, y empieza a presentirse, de la epopeya el fin.	Bolivar crosses the Andes that two oceans bathe, swords as sparks shine in Junín. Untameable centaurs descend to the plains, and a prescience begins to be felt, of the epic the end.
VII	VII
La tropa victoriosa en Ayacucho truena, que en cada triunfo crece su formidable son. En su expansivo empuje la libertad se estrena, del cielo americano formando un pabellón.	The victorious troop in Ayacucho thunders, that in every triumph grows its formidable sound. In its expansive thrust Liberty is worn for the first time, from the American sky a pavilion forming.
VIII	VIII
La virgen sus cabellos arranca en agonía y de su amor viuda los cuelga del ciprés. Lamenta su esperanza que cubre loza fría, pero glorioso orgullo circunda su alba tez.	The virgin her hairs pulls out in agony and from her love widowed hangs them on a cypress. Regretting her hope covered by a cold headstone, but glorious pride hallows her fair complexion.
IX	IX
La patria así se forma, termópilas brotando; constelación de cíclopes su noche iluminó. La flor estremecida mortal el viento hallando, debajo los laureles seguridad buscó.	Thus the mother land is formed, Thermopylaes are breaking forth; constellation of cyclops its night brightened. The trembling flower finding the wind mortal, underneath the laurels safety sought.
X	X
Mas no es completa gloria vencer en la batalla, que el brazo que combate lo anima la verdad. La independencia sola el gran clamor no acalla; si el sol alumbra a todos, justicia es libertad.	But it's not complete glory to defeat in battle, that the arm that fights is encouraged by truth. Independence alone The great clamour doesn't silence; if the sun illuminates everyone, justice is liberty.
XI	XI
Del hombre los derechos Nariño predicando, el alma de la lucha profético enseñó. Ricaurte en San Mateo, en átomos volando, "Deber antes que vida," con llamas escribió.	From men the rights Nariño preaching, the soul of struggle prophetically taught. Ricaurte in San Mateo, in atoms flying, "Duty before life," with flames he wrote.

Usage

By law, radio and TV broadcasts must play the national anthem at 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM in the following manner: Chorus, first verse* and chorus once again. This is also how it is customarily performed in all public, sports, political, and other official events.

Although the first verse is usually sung in between choruses, any of the eleven verses may be used. The anthem must be played chorus-verse-chorus regardless of which verse is selected.