A Portuguesa
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A Portuguesa (pron. IPA /ɐ puɾ.tu.'ɣe.zɐ/) is the national anthem of Portugal. It was written by Henrique Lopes de Mendonça (lyrics) and Alfredo Keil (music) after the nationalist resurgence provoked by the British Ultimatum (for Portuguese troops to vacate the territory between Angola and Mozambique), was adopted as a Republican anthem and, finally, by the new Portuguese Republic in 1910 as the national anthem, replacing "O Hino da Carta", the last anthem of the Constitutional Monarchy in Portugal.
The title A Portuguesa means "the Portuguese (song)" — the Portuguese word for "song", canção, being feminine — just as La Marseillaise, the national anthem of France, is "the song of Marseille" and the Belgian anthem, The Brabançonne is "the song of Brabant."
History
In 1890, the United Kingdom issued an ultimatum demanding Portugal give up its intentions of occupying the land between the African colonies of Angola, on the western coast, and Mozambique, on the eastern coast, thus joining the two territories. Despite popular uproar, the government was forced to accept the British terms, a measure that contributed to the growing unpopularity of King Carlos and the monarchy and gained supporters for the already boosting republican movement. Inspired by the common feeling of outrage among the people, writer Henrique Lopes de Mendonça composed a poem urging his compatriots to "fight for the motherland" (Pela Pátria lutar) and praising the country's past as a naval power, particularly in the 15th and 16th centuries. The words were set to a melody by composer Alfredo Keil and the song soon became popular among people unhappy with what they considered a submissive and humiliating attitude by the Portuguese authorities.On January 31, 1891, a republican revolution broke out in the northern city of Porto and "A Portuguesa" was adopted by the rebels as their anthem. The revolution was crushed and the song banned. In 1910, on October 5, a new revolution succeeded in overthrowing the monarchy and establishing a republic in Portugal. In the following year, 1911, a law officialized the status of "A Portuguesa" as Portugal's national anthem.
Lyrics
The song consists of the first stanza from Mendonça's poem followed by a chorus. The second and third verses below were part of the poem, but are not included in the anthem. The fifth line of the chorus: "Contra os canhões marchar, marchar" (Against the cannons march, march!) is an alteration of the original "Contra os bretões marchar, marchar" (Against the Britons march, march!).
| Portuguese lyrics | Approximate translation |
|---|---|
| First stanza (Portuguese National Anthem) | |
|
Heróis do mar, nobre povo, Nação valente e imortal, Levantai hoje de novo O esplendor de Portugal! Entre as brumas da memória, Ó Pátria sente-se a voz Dos teus egrégios avós, Que há-de guiar-te à vitória! |
Heroes of the sea, noble people, Valiant and immortal nation, Arise today once more The splendour of Portugal. From out of the mists of memory, Oh Homeland, the voices are felt Of your great forefathers That shall lead you on to victory! |
| Chorus | |
|
Às armas, às armas! Sobre a terra, sobre o mar, Às armas, às armas! Pela Pátria lutar Contra os canhões marchar, marchar!(*) |
To arms, to arms Over land, over sea! To arms, to arms To fight for the Homeland! Against the cannons, we march, we march!(*) |
| Second stanza | |
|
Desfralda a invicta Bandeira, À luz viva do teu céu! Brade a Europa à terra inteira: Portugal não pereceu Beija o solo teu jucundo O Oceano, a rugir d'amor, E teu braço vencedor Deu mundos novos ao Mundo! |
Hoist the unconquerable Flag, In the living light of your sky! Europe cries out to the all of the land: Portugal has not perished Kiss the soil jolly of yours The Ocean, roaring of love, And your winning arm Gave new worlds to the World! |
| Chorus | |
| Third stanza | |
|
Saudai o Sol que desponta Sobre um ridente porvir; Seja o eco de uma afronta O sinal do ressurgir. Raios dessa aurora forte São como beijos de mãe, Que nos guardam, nos sustêm, Contra as injúrias da sorte. |
Salute the Sun that rises Over a smiling future; Let the echo of an offense Be the sign for resurrection. Rays of that strong dawn Are as mother kisses, That keep us, sustain us, Against the injuries of luck. |
| Chorus | |
Audio recording
External links
- [Lyrics, sheet music, and MP3 of "A Portuguesa"] on the Government of Portugal web portal.
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