Anthems
New words for old Spanish anthem
For more than 30 years, Spain's victorious athletes have had to resort to humming their national anthem.
The lyrics for the "Royal March" which were written in General Franco's era were dropped in 1975 because of their associations with his dictatorship.
But now the Spanish Olympic Committee has announced the results of a competition to find new words.
The anthem was to be revealed by the tenor, Placido Domingo, but the lyrics were leaked to a newspaper on Friday.
'Viva Espana'
The words begin with "Viva Espana" and "Ama a la patria" (love the fatherland).
Already they have attracted criticism, chiefly from left-wing politicians concerned they reflect the nationalism of the Franco regime.
"They stink," was the opinion of Gaspar Llamazares, leader of the small United Left party.
Carmen Calvo, former culture minister in the ruling Socialist government, said: "I just read it and I don't like it at all."
Expert panel
Their task was to come up with up-to-date words for a tune that was first played in 1770 during the reign of King Carlos III.
The winner of the competition was Paulino Cubero, an unemployed man from La Mancha.
The Spanish Olympic Committee now hopes to collect half a million signatures before presenting the updated anthem to parliament.
What is your opinion about the controversy surrounding the words to the anthem? What do you think the lyrics to an anthem should be about? What is your favourite anthem and why?
The Scottish Anthem has some wonderful lyrics. The video below contains footage of a famous Scottish victory against the English.
Source: You Tube (iMdReSSedEcAy) Key Words: Corries flower Scotland
Listen and complete the lyrics to the Scottish national anthem.
Comments
I surprised the news because I still didn´t known nothing about this item. After, on saturday in the “El Mundo” newspaper I read more about this news and I read the lyrics of the anthem, too. It´s seem that many people don´t like it but about me, sincerely I don´t find it so bad. I suppose that there are a millions of possibilities and the identity with the fatherland is a concept entirely subjetive.
I think the chief difficulty is the tune of the anthem because it´s a march if the tune was a ballad it´ll be heard better.
My favorite anthem is “We are the champions”, of course.
I WAS SURPISED AT the news because I DIDN'T KNOW ANYthing about IT UNTIL THEN. LATER on saturday in the “El Mundo” newspaper I read more about IT and I read the lyrics of the anthem too. It seemS that many people don´t like it but I REALLY don´t find it so bad. I suppose that there are MILLIONS of possibilities and the identity with the fatherland is aN ENTIRELY SUBJECTIVE concept.
I think the chief difficulty is the tune of the anthem because it´s a march. If the tune was a ballad, it WOULD SOUND BETTER.
My favorite anthem is “We are the champions”, of course."
I genuinely think the Scottish anthem is a beautiful song. You can hear it if you go to Madrid teacher 3.
Apart from the Scottish anthem, I like the Russian one. I don't understand the words of course but the tune is very powerful.