The National Anthem of Brazil

Hino Nacional/National Anthem

The Brazilian National Anthem is sufficient grounds for the fame of its composer, Francisco Manuel. Through its admirably warm and spirited melody, it took its place as the national anthem before it was accorded any official recognition. Various changes made to it have not distorted its essence, though they have softened its martial tone. Originally composed in a purely orchestral version for military band, it has been the various texts which have been set to it, especially that of Osório Duque Estrada in 1922, which have somewhat spoilt it.

The history of the anthem is the subject of controversy. In the view of some, it was composed for Brazilian Independence,others believe it was written for the 7th of April and performed on the 13th to a text attributed to Ovídio Saraiva de Carvalho e Silva, in which there are references to "a wise reign" and "a Brazilian monarch", the 7th of April being taken as the dawn of Brazilian liberty. A third view is that of Souza Pitanga and Ernesto Sena, supported by Alberto Nepomuceno who writes: "In the same year (1841), at perhaps the height of his career, Francisco Manuel composed the anthem to celebrate the coronation of the second Emperor of Brazil, showing himself to be a composer of great merit in this inspired work, which still animates the national soul today.

Decree No.15671 of the 6th of September 1922 officially adopted the words of Osório Duque Estrada, written in 1909, the first version of it. Law No. 259 of the 1st of October 1936 prescribed the version of Leopoldo Miguez for orchestral performance, and the version by Lt. Antonio Pinto Junior of the Federal District Fire Brigades, for military band, in the original key of B Flat; and finally a version in F by Alberto Nepomuceno for singing:

Music: Francisco Manuel da Silva (1795-1865)
Verses: Joaquim Osório Duque Estrada (1870-1927)

terug naar Brazilië algemeen

I

Ouviram do Ipiranga às margens plácidas
De um povo heróico o brado retumbante,
E o sol da liberdade, em raios fúlgidos,
Brilhou no céu da Pátria nesse instante.

Se o penhor dessa igualdade
Conseguimos conquistar com braço forte,
Em teu seio ó liberdade,
Desafia o nosso peito a própria morte!

Ó Pátria amada
Idolatrada
Salve! Salve!

Brasil de um sonho intenso, um raio vívido,
De amor e de esperança à terra desce
Se em teu formoso céu risonho e límpido
A imagem do Cruzeiro resplandece

Gigante pela própria natureza
És belo, és forte, impávido colosso,
E o teu futuro espelha essa grandeza,

Terra adorada!
Entre outras mil
És tu, Brasil,
Ó Pátria amada

Dos filhos deste solo és mãe gentil,
Pátria amada
Brasil!

II

Deitado eternamente em berço esplêndido,
ao som do mar e à luz do céu profundo,
Fulguras, ó Brasil, florão da América,
Iluminado ao sol do Novo Mundo!

Do que a terra mais garrida

Teus risonhos lindos campos tem mais flores,
"Nossos bosques tem mais vida"
"Nossa vida" no teu seio "mais amores"

Ó Pátria amada
Idolatrada
Salve! Salve!

Brasil, de amor eterno seja símbolo
O lábaro que ostentas estrelado,
E diga o verde-louro dessa flâmula
- paz no futuro e glória no passado -

Mas se ergues da justiça a clava forte,

Verás que um filho teu não foge à luta,
Nem teme, quem te adora, a própria morte,

Terra adorada!
Entre outras mil
És tu, Brasil,
Ó Pátria amada

Dos filhos deste solo és mãe gentil

Pátria amada
Brasil!



National Anthem

I

The peaceful banks of the Ipiranga
Heard the resounding cry of an heroic people,
And the dazzling rays of the sun of Liberty
Bathed our country in their brilliant light.

If with strong arm we have succeeded
In winning a pledge of equality,
In thy bosom, O Liberty,
Our hearts will defy death itself!

O adored Fatherland,
Cherished and revered,
All hail! All Hail!

Brazil, a dream sublime, vivid ray of love and hope to earth descends,
Where in your clear, pure, beauteous skies
The image of the Southern Cross shines forth.

O country vast by nature,
Fair and strong, brave and colossus,
Thy future mirrors this thy greatness.

O land adored
Above all others,
'Tis thee Brazil,
Beloved Fatherland!

Thou art the gentle mother of the children of this soil,
Beloved land,
Brazil!

II

Laid out eternally in the splendor of nature,
In the sound of the sea and the light of heaven,
may thou shine, O Brazil, flower of America,
Illumined by the sun of the New World!

More flowers put forth in thy fair, smiling fields
Than the in the most gorgeously reputed lands;
"More life is to be found in the groves",
"More love in our lives" in thy embrace.

O adored Fatherland,
Cherished and revered,
All Hail!
All Hail!

May the star-scattered banner flown by thee,
Brazil, become the symbol of eternal love,
And may the green-gold flag proclaim always
- Peace in the future and glory in the past -

But if the mighty sword of justice drawn forth,
You will perceive your children, who adore you,
neither fear to fight,
nor flee from death itself.

O land adored
Above all others,
'Tis thee Brazil,
Beloved Fatherland!

Thou art the gentle mother of the children of this soil,

Beloved land,
Brazil!