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National Anthem of Colombia

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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 refered by the first verse: ¡Oh Gloria Inmarcesible! ("O Unfading Glory!"), however this name is neither official nor in common use in Colombia. The lyrics were written by President Rafael Núñez and the music was composed by Oreste Sindici. The anthem was first performed in 1887 and officially adopted in 1920.

(Note: Normally, in all radio and TV broadcasts the national anthem is voluntarily performed (at 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM) in the following manner: the chorus, first verse (or sometimes the second instead) and chorus once again are sung. This is also how it is performed in all events.)

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 that died in 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
desprecia 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.