La Bayamesa

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El Himno de Bayamo (The Bayamo Anthem) is the national anthem of Cuba. It was first performed during the Battle of Bayamo in 1868. Perucho Figueredo, who took part in the battle, wrote and composed the song. The melody is the same of an earlier song called La Bayamesa, also written by Figueredo. On October 20 1868 the Cuban forces obtained the capitulation of the Spaniard authorities in Bayamo, the jubilant people surrounded Figueredo and asked him to write an anthem with the melody they were humming. Right on the saddle of his horse, Figueredo wrote the lyrics of the anthem, which was longer than the official version of nowadays. Figueredo was captured and executed by the Spaniards two years later. Just before the firing squad received the Fire command, Figueredo shouted the line from his anthem: Morir por la Patria es vivir. Officially adopted in 1902, the anthem was retained after the revolution of 1959. The arrangement commonly used, without credit in Cuba, is believed to that of Jose Norman author of Cuban Pete [1].

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Spanish Lyrics

Al combate, corred, Bayameses,
Que la Patria os contempla orgullosa;
No temáis una muerte gloriosa,
Que morir por la Patria es vivir.

En cadenas vivir, es vivir
En afrenta y oprobio sumido;
Del clarín escuchad el sonido;
¡A las armas, valientes, corred!

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English translation

To combat run, Bayamese,
For the Motherland proudly watches!
Fear not a glorious death,
to die for the Moth erland is to live!

To live in chains is to live,
In affront and opprobium sunken;
Of the bugle hear the sound:
To arms, valiant ones, run!
This is all WRONG USE THE SPANISH VERSION Alternative translation:

Hasten to battle, men of Bayamo, For the homeland looks proudly to you. You do not fear a glorious death, Because to die for the country is to live.

To live in chains Is to live in dishonour and ignominy. Hear the clarion call, Hasten, brave ones, to battle!

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