|
Spain’s National Anthem Lyrics Rejected
The “Marcha Real” is Spain’s national anthem, dating back to at least 1761. Since 1978 and the end of the fascist Franco regime, there have been no official words. The constitutional monarchy abandoned the Francoist lyrics but offered no replacements. So for thirty years, Spaniards who have won Olympic gold medals have stood on a podium and sang “La, La, La” or hummed along. A new set of words had been selected in advance of the Beijing Olympics, but they have just been withdrawn.
The words to any national anthem are, of course, a source of argument. The lyrics of “The Star Spangled Banner” of the United States was written by a lawyer – and it shows. In the UK, “God Save the King/Queen” has a line in it about “rebellious Scots to crush.” “Oh, Canada” naturally has a French and English version, each having different meanings. In the People’s Republic of China, “Gong Jin’ou” is the anthem which contains a line “As long as the Qing rules” – Sun Yat-sen put an end to that in 1911.
In Spain, the leftists didn’t like the authoritarian ring to the opening line “Long Live Spain,” even suggesting the whole mood of the lyrics “stank” of the Franco era. Separatists in Catalonia and the Basque territories weren’t too pleased with the overall nationalistic tone, which really does belong in a national anthem. Here’s what annoyed so many
Long live Spain!/We sing together/with different voices/and only one heart.
Long live Spain!/From the green valleys/to the immense sea/a hymn of brotherhood.
Love the Fatherland/which knows how to embrace/below the blue sky/people in freedom.
Glory to the sons/who have given to history/justice and greatness/democracy and peace.
Placido Domingo was to have showcased the new lyrics, but with the decision by Spanish Olympic Committee Chairman Alejandro Blanco to withdraw them, the great tenor will have to wait. Mr. Domingo was philosophical, “If these words aren't generally acceptable, we have marvelous writers that will be able to come up with something. But I don't want to go with something that causes controversy.”
The Kensington Review offers this advice: Pick some lyrics that distinguish Spain from the rest of the world in a positive way. Mention Don Quijote, El Greco, paella, anything that talks about why anyone who lives there should love Spain and take delight in being a Spaniard. Even the Basques and the Catalans who want independence don’t hate Spain; they just want their own anthems. The withdrawn lyrics could have been about any country just by replacing “Viva España” with “Hooray for Wherever-istan.”
© Copyright 2008 by The Kensington Review, Jeff Myhre, PhD, Editor. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent. Produced using Fedora Linux.
Kensington Review Home
|
|
|