Gloria al Bravo Pueblo

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Template:Venezolanos Gloria al Bravo Pueblo (Glory to the Brave People) was adopted as Venezuela's national anthem by President Antonio Guzmán Blanco on May 25, 1881. The lyrics were written by the medician and journalist Vicente Salias in 1810. The music was later composed by musician Juan José Landaeta. It is said, however, that the melody was known since 1840 as La Marsellesa Venezolana (Venezuelan Marseillaise), in reference to its subtle similarity to the French national anthem.

Some recent investigations have suggested that the real author of the anthem is Andrés Bello, and not Salias, to whom it was originally credited, and the music composed by another musician called Lino Gallardo. However, this theory is yet to be proven, and lacks any real recognition among the general Venezuelan population, historians, or otherwise.

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Lyrics

Castilian lyrics: Juan Jose Landaeta - Vicente Salias

— Coro —

Gloria al bravo pueblo

que el yugo lanzó,

La Ley respetando

la virtud y honor.

— I —

¡Abajo cadenas!

Gritaba el Señor;

y el pobre en su choza

libertad pidió.

A este santo nombre

tembló de pavor

el vil egoísmo

que otra vez triunfó.

(Coro)

— II —

Gritemos con brío:

¡Muera la opresión!

Compatriotas fieles,

la fuerza es la unión;

y desde el Empíreo

el Supremo Autor,

un sublime aliento

al pueblo infundió.

(Coro)

— III —

Unida con lazos

que el cielo formó,

la América toda,

existe en nación;

y si el despotismo

levanta la voz,

seguid el ejemplo

que Caracas dio.

(Coro)

English lyrics:

— Chorus —

Glory to the brave nation

which shook off the yoke,

respecting the Law

virtue and honour.

(repeat chorus)

— I —

“Off with the chains!” (repeat)

Cried the Lord; (repeat)

and the poor man in his hovel

implored freedom.

At this holy name ((repeat))

there trembled in fear

the vile selfishness

that had once triumphed.

((repeat last four lines))

(((repeat last two lines)))

(Chorus)

— II —

Let’s cry out aloud: (repeat)

Down with oppression! (repeat)

Faithful countrymen, your strength

lies in your unity;

and from the heavens ((repeat))

the supreme Creator

breathed a sublime spirit

into the nation.

((repeat last four lines))

(((repeat last two lines)))

(Chorus)

— III —

United by bonds (repeat)

made by heaven, (repeat)

all America exists

as a Nation;

and if tyranny ((repeat))

raises its voice,

follow the example

given by Caracas.

((repeat last four lines))

(((repeat last two lines)))

(Chorus)

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Audio

[1]: This mp3 version of the national anthem, is not the official one. It is a version for guitar, oboe and voice based on the oldest extant 19th century sheet music and lirics. Published by the Colonial Art Museum of Caracas, the music includes an introduction since suppressed in today's official version in the belief that it was a later add on. In the words, the first stanza mentioning the "usurper" and his actions (Joseph Bonaparte as king of Spain) is no longer sung, (its existence is used as evidence to claim its composition to the days following the april 1810 revolt against the spanish authorities that had capitulated to Bonaparte). The third and fifth stanzas were combined taking half from each, suppressing an unconfortable refesers or writers. This song is probably the oldest national anthem in Latin America in terms of authorship (1810) and is refreshingly unrelated to the operatic and epic anthems composed later for the majority of these countries.
Cantemos el Himno — Alternative concert rendition of the anthem.
MIDI File

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