The recent launching of “Nuestro Himno,” the Spanish version of the U.S. National Anthem, has been received with criticism and praise but hardly with indifference.
More than 20 Latin American artists participated in composing the song, including Gloria Trevi, Franc De Vita, Olga Tanon, Wyclef Jean, Carlos Ponce, Ivy Queen, Reik, Kalimba and Andy Andy.
President George W. Bush said last Friday the national anthem must be sung in English and not in Spanish.
Spanish Lyrics to ‘Nuestro Himno’ (’Our Anthem’)
Amanece, lo veis, a la luz de la aurora?
lo que tanto aclamamos la noche al caer?
sus estrellas sus franjas
flotaban ayer
en el fiero combate
en senal de victoria,
fulgor de lucha, al paso de la libertad.
Por la noche decian:
“Se va defendiendo!”
Oh decid! Despliega aun
Su hermosura estrellada
sobre tierra de libres,
la bandera sagrada?
Sus estrellas, sus franjas,
la libertad. Somos iguales.
Somos hermanos. Es nuestro himno.
En el fiero combate en senal de victoria,
Fulgor de lucha
Mi gente sigue luchando
al paso de la libertad
Ya es tiempo de romper las cadenas.
Por la noche decian: “!Se va defendiendo!”
Oh decid! Despliega aun su hermosura estrellada
sobre tierra de libres,
la bandera sagrada?
English translation:
It’s sunrise. Do you see by the light of the dawn
What we proudly hailed last nightfall?
Its stars, its stripes
yesterday streamed
above fierce combat
a symbol of victory
the glory of battle and the march toward liberty
Throughout the night, they proclaimed:
“We will defend it!”
Tell me! Does its starry beauty still wave
above the land of the free,
the sacred flag?
Its stars, its stripes,
liberty, we are the same.
We are brothers in our anthem.
In fierce combat, a symbol of victory
(My people fight on.)
and the march toward liberty.
(The time has come to break the chains.)
Throughout the night they proclaimed, “We will defend it!”
Tell me! Does its starry beauty still wave
above the land of the free,
the sacred flag?
Guests:
Julie Mason, White House correspondent for The Houston Chronicle
