Written by: Jordan Pearson (2013)
Edited by: Jesús Hidalgo (February 2015)
Uruguay
| Himno Nacional de Uruguay
CHORUS: |
National Anthem of Uruguay
CHORUS: |
Analysis
Just like other Latin American epic anthems, Uruguay’s national anthem resembles an Italian opera. The Hungarian composer Debály Ferenc József, who changed his named to Francisco José Debali when he migrated to South America in 1838, allegedly composed the music of the Uruguay anthem in 1848. The poet Francisco Esteban Acuña de Figueroa wrote the lyrics for the government after his homeland gained its independence from Spain in 1828.
Even though only one verse is sang today, performing the anthem takes nearly five minutes if the musical introduction is included, making it the longest hymn in the world. [1]
Keep an eye on Edinson Cavani, Uraguay’s top forward.
Costa Rica
| Himno Nacional de Costa Rica
Noble patria tu hermosa bandera En la lucha tenaz de fecunda labor Que enrojece del hombre la faz, ¡Salve oh tierra gentil, salve oh madre de amor! ¡Salve oh patria! tu pródigo suelo |
National Anthem of Costa Rica
Noble homeland, your beautiful flag In the tenacious battle of fruitful toil, That brings a glow to men’s faces, Hail gentle country, hail loving mother! Hail O homeland! Your prodigal soil |
Analysis
Manuel María Gutiérrez composed the music for this anthem in 1852 after the government asked hum to write a national anthem. In 1900, a contest was held to replace the lyrics and the winning lyrics by José María Zeledón Brenes are still used today.
Though the anthem and lyrics were both in common use, the hymn was not officially adopted until 1949.
Make sure to watch Bryan Ruiz, Costa Rica’s attacking midfielder.
England
| God Save the Queen
God save our gracious Queen, |
Analysis
Before everybody tears me apart, let me clarify that I know it: the flag shown in the video is not England’s. However, because the English country is part of the United Kingdom, its national hymn is officially “God Save the Queen,” the national anthem of the UK. There are other anthems that are often associated with England’s national sporting teams and thus considered by many England’s unofficial national hymns- namely, “Land of Hope and Glory,” and “Jerusalem.” “God Save the Queen” is, nevertheless, always sang during international soccer competitions and the World Cup.[3][4][5]
Watch out for Wayne Rooney, one of England’s important forwards.
Italy
| Il Canto degli Italiani
Fratelli d’Italia Fratelli d’Italia CHORUS: Stringiamci a coorte |
The Song of the Italians
Italian Brothers, Italian Brothers, CHORUS: Let us band together, |
Analysis
Goffredo Mameli composed Il Canto degli Italiani (“The Song of the Italians”) in 1847 and the hymn is often referred to as Fratelli d’Italia (“Brothers of Italy”) nowadays. There has been recent debates about the possibility to replace the anthem since the lyrics refer to past events that have little resonance with contemporary Italy. For instance, senator Umberto Bossi proposed to adopt “Va, pensiero,” an excerpt from a Giuseppe Verdi’s opera Nabucco, as the national anthem. Many people also say that the music does not do justice to the works of many other great Italian composers. However, the melody is iconic and has caught on with so many Italians that some say it would be hard to replace it in the near future.[6]
Be sure to watch Mario Balotelli Italy’s team. Here is a little more about him.
References
[1] “Uruguay » nationalanthems.info.” nationalanthems.info. Ed. David Kendall. Web. 9 Dec 2013.
[2] “Costa Rica » nationalanthems.info.” nationalanthems.info. Ed. David Kendall. Web. 9 Dec 2013.
[5] “United Kingdom » nationalanthems.info.” nationalanthems.info. Ed. David Kendall. Web. 9 Dec 2013.
[6] “Italy » nationalanthems.info.” nationalanthems.info. Ed. David Kendall. Web. 9 Dec 2013.
How to cite this article: “National Anthems: The Music of the World Cup,” Written by Jordan Pearson (2013.) Edited by Jesús Hidalgo (2015.) World Cup 2014, Soccer Politics Blog, Duke University, http://sites.duke.edu/wcwp (accessed on (date)).
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If you or your readers speak and understand Italian, you will enjoy this incredible monologue by the inimitable Academy Award-winning actor Roberto Benigni. It was broadcast live during the Festival di Sanremo on national TV.
Benigni entered the theater on a white horse (sic!) and went on to explain the true meaning, history, and political significance of the anthem composed by Goffredo Mameli, a patriot who died at the tender age of 21:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=73xWk8zfuU8&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D73xWk8zfuU8