National Anthems- Group F: Argentina, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iran, Nigeria

Click here to return to the main page- National Anthems: The Music of the World Cup.

Written By: Jordan Pearson (December 2013)

Edited by: Hector Morales (February 2015)

Argentina

 

Himno Nacional Argentino
Oíd, mortales, el grito sagrado:
“¡Libertad, libertad, libertad!”
Oíd el ruido de rotas cadenas,
ved en trono a la noble igualdad.
Ya su trono dignísimo abrieron
las Provincias Unidas del Sud
y los libres del mundo responden:
“Al gran pueblo argentino, ¡Salud!”
“Al gran pueblo argentino, ¡Salud!”
Y los libres del mundo responden:
“Al gran pueblo argentino, ¡Salud!”
Y los libres del mundo responden:
“Al gran pueblo argentino, ¡Salud!”

CHORUS:
Sean eternos los laureles
que supimos conseguir,
que supimos conseguir.
Coronados de gloria vivamos…
¡o juremos con gloria morir!,
¡o juremos con gloria morir!,
¡o juremos con gloria morir!

Argentine National Anthem
Hear, mortals, the sacred cry:
“Freedom! Freedom! Freedom!”
Hear the noise of broken chains,
see the noble Equality enthroned.
Their most honorable throne have opened
the United Provinces of the South.
And the free ones of the world reply:
“To the Argentine people, cheers!”
“To the Argentine people, cheers!”
And the free ones of the world reply:
“To the Argentine people, cheers!”
And the free ones of the world reply:
“To the Argentine people, cheers!”

CHORUS:
May the laurels be eternal
the ones we managed to win,
the ones we managed to win.
Let us live crowned in glory…
or let us swear in glory to die!
Or let us swear in glory to die!
Or let us swear in glory to die!

 Analysis

A long anthem with operatic characteristics and both slow,stately and fast, patriotic music, the Argentine National Anthem falls in nicely with other Latin American anthems. It was originally adopted in 1813 and has also been known as the “Anthem of May,” the “Marcha Patriótica” (Patriotic March), and “Canción Patriótica Nacional” (National Patriotic Song).[1] The present, much shorter, anthem comprises only the first and last verses and the chorus of the 1813 Patriotic March, omitting much emotional text about the struggle for independence from Spain. Due to the excessive length of the official version, in international events such as the World Cup only the instrumental introduction (which lasts 1 minute 6 seconds) is played.

Be sure to keep an eye on Argentina’s captain, Lionel Messi.


Bosnia-Herzegovina

 

Državna himna Bosne i HercegovineZemljo tisucljetna
Na vjernost ti se kunem
Od mora do Save
Od Drine do Une.CHORUS:Jedna si jedina
Moja domovina
Jedna si jedina
Bosna i HercegovinaBog nek’ te sacuva
Za pokoljenja nova
Zemljo mojih snova
Mojih pradjedova.CHORUS
The National Anthem of Bosnia and HerzegovinaI Pledge my loyalty to you
My thousand-year old land
From the Száva to the sea
From the Drina to the UnaCHORUS:You are unique
The only homeland I have
You are unique
Bosnia and HerzegovinaMay God save you
For the generations to come
You are the land of my dreams
The land of my forefathersCHORUS

 Analysis

“The National Anthem of Bosnia and Herzegovina,” is one of two national anthems in this World Cup to have no official lyrics (along with Spain). Lyrics have been proposed and are in the process of being approved.[2] The anthem doesn’t seem to be all that popular in Bosnia, the various nationalities tending to use their own anthems.  One of the most popular versions among the people is the one I provided above, along with the translation. Here is the video of the Bosnia fans singing along to their lyric-less anthem.[3]

Keep an eye on Miralem Pjanic, Bosnia-Herzegovina’s key attacking midfielder.


Iran

 

سرود ملی جمهوری اسلامی ایران

سَر زَد از اُفُق
مِهرِ خاوران
فروغِ دیده‌ٔ حق باوران
بهمن، فَرِّ ایمانِ ماست
پیامت ای امام
«استقلال، آزادی»
نقشِ جانِ ماست
شهیدان، پیچیده در گوش زمانْ فریادتان
پاینده مانی و جاودان
جمهوری اسلامی ایران

National Anthem of the Islamic Republic of Iran
Upwards on the horizon rises the Eastern Sun,
The sight of the true Religion.
Bahman – the brilliance of our Faith.
Your message, O Imam, of independence and freedom
is imprinted on our souls.
O Martyrs! The time of your cries of pain rings in our ears.
Enduring, continuing, eternal,
The Islamic Republic of Iran.

Analysis

Iran’s national anthem is a tribute to Ayatollah Khomeini.[4] Khomeini was a religious and political leader, leading the 1979 Iranian Revolution, establishing a government, and acting as the country’s political and religious leader until his death in 1990. [5]

Click here to find out more about Javad Nekounam,  Iran’s captain.


Nigeria

 

Arise Oh Compatriots, Nigeria’s Call Obey
Arise, O compatriots,
Nigeria’s call obey
To serve our Fatherland
With love and strength and faith.
The labour of our heroes past
Shall never be in vain,
To serve with heart and might
One nation bound in freedom, peace and unity.

 Analysis

Nigeria’s national anthem was adopted in 1978. The country held a national lyrics competition after choosing five winners, pieces of each were put together to get the final lyrics.[6] This anthem seems focus on both the duty of Nigerians to serve their country as well as memory of those who have sacrificed to progress the country to where it is. The music was by the Director of Music of the Nigerian Police Band.

Be sure to watch John Obi Mikel, the center midfielder on Nigeria’s team. Here is a little more about him.


References

[1]  “Argentina » nationalanthems.info.” nationalanthems.info. Ed. David Kendall. Web. 9 Dec 2013.

[2] “Bosnia and Herzegovina » nationalanthems.info.” nationalanthems.info. Ed. David Kendall. Web. 9 Dec 2013.

[3] “Bosnia and Herzegovina National Anthem.” Link On Learning. Web. 9 Dec. 2013.

[4] “Iran» nationalanthems.info.” nationalanthems.info. Ed. David Kendall. Web. 9 Dec 2013.

[5] “Ayatollah Khomeini.” Iran Chamber Society. Web. 9 Dec. 2013.

[6] “Nigeria» 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 Hector Morales (2015), World Cup 2014, Soccer Politics Blog, Duke University, http://sites.duke.edu/wcwp (accessed on (date)). 


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