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The 'A Portuguesa!' - The Portuguese National Anthem

The "A Portuguesa" is the Portuguese national anthem. The lyrics originate from the 19th-century Portuguese republican movement, which was opposed to the lavish life of the monarch. Surprisingly, the tune, tempo, and even the lyrics were not formalised until 1957.

The Portuguese National Anthem has a catchy chorus of “As armas! As armas!” (To arms! To arms!) that is sung passionately by the Portuguese during every sporting event.

An English Translation of the Portuguese National Anthem

The following section translates the lyrics to the "A Portuguesa":

Verse 1 - Portugues

Hero'is do mar, nobre povo,
Nac,a~o valente, imortal
Levantai hoje de novo,
O esplendor de Portugal
Entre as brumas da memo'ria,
O' pa'tria sente-se a voz
Dos teus egre'gios avo's
Que ha'-de guiar-te `a vito'ria.

Verse 1 - English

Heroes of the sea, noble race,
valiant and immortal nation,
now is the hour to raise up once more,
The splendour of Portugal
from out of the mists of memory,
oh homeland, we hear the voices
of your great forefathers
that shall lead you on to victory!

 

(Chorus) - Portugues
To arms! To arms!
On land and sea!
To arms! To arms!
To fight for our homeland!
(Chorus) - English
`As armas! `As armas!
Sobre a terra e sobre o mar!
`As armas! `As armas!
Pela Pa'tria lutar!

 

Verse 2 - Portugues

Desfralda a invicta bandeira
`A luz viva do teu ce'u
Brade a Europa `a terra inteira
Portugal na~o pereceu!
Beija o solo teu jucundo
O oceano a rujir d'amor
E o teu brac, o vencedor
deu mundos novos ao Mundo!

Verse 2 - English

Unfurl the unconquerable flag
In the bright light of your sky!
Cry out to Europe and the world
that Portugal has not perished.
Your happy land is kissed
by the ocean that murmurs with love
and your conquering arm
has given new worlds to the world!

 

(Chorus) - Portugues
To arms! To arms!
On land and sea!
To arms! To arms!
To fight for our homeland!
(Chorus) - English
`As armas! `As armas!
Sobre a terra e sobre o mar!
`As armas! `As armas!
Pela Pa'tria lutar!

 

Verse 3 - Portugues

Saudai o sol que desponta
Sobre um ridente porvir;
Seja o eco d'uma afronta
o sinal de ressurgir.
Raios d'essa aurora forte
Sa~o como beijos de ma~e
que nos guardam, nos sustem,
contra as inju'rias da sorte.

Salute the sun that rises

Verse 3 - English
On a smiling future:
Let the echo of an insult be
the signal for our revival.
The rays of that powerful dawn
are like a mother's kisses
that protect us and support us
against the insults of fate.

 

(Final Chorus ) - Portugues
To arms! To arms!
On land and sea!
To arms! To arms!
To fight for our homeland!
(Final Chorus) - English
`As armas! `As armas!
Sobre a terra e sobre o mar!
`As armas! `As armas!
Pela Pa'tria lutar!

The original final section of the chorus was "Contra os bretões marchar, marchar!" - Against the British - we march, we march! This original section expressed the outrage of the Portuguese over the Africa land demands enforced by the British, but this line was altered at the turn of the century.

History of "A Portuguesa" – The Portuguese National Anthem

The Portuguese National anthem was originally written in 1890 by the Republican movement of Portugal, who were disgusted at the way the Portuguese royal family had agreed to British demands over land rights in Africa (known as the Pink Map)

The British had demanded vast areas of Portugal's African colonies in Mozambique and Angola, and the anthem encouraged Portugal's workers and armies to rebel and fight the British. Hence, the undiplomatic 5th line of the original A Portuguesa.

The song still echoes the original intent, the verses and especially the chorus speak of a call to arms, while the third verse speaks of "insults" and "embarrassment", which is how the Portuguese viewed the British ultimatum of 1890.

The song evolved soon after into a protest song not just against the loss of lands but against the monarchy itself. This change of focus caused the national anthem to be banned from being sung in public from 1892. An act of defiance by signing the A Portuguesa was severely punished with conspirators sent off to the harsh African colonies or long spells in jail.

It only became acceptable to sign after Portugal became a republic in 1902.

In 1957, a standardised version of the song was proposed because, previously, there were versions with different words, tunes, and tempos. To decide on the official words and tune, a commission was created, and the official A Portuguesa was agreed on 16 July 1957, which has remained the Portuguese National Anthem to this day.

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