This week we are looking at the National Anthem of Cuba the anthem is called La Bayamesa (The Bayamo Song) was first performed in 1868 during the battle of Bayamo in a Cuban uprising against Spain. The author of the song played a leading part in the battle and was captured by the Spaniards and executed by a firing squad in 1870; it is said that just before the firing squad executed Figueredo, he shouted one of the lines from the anthem: “Morir por la Patria es vivir”.
It was officially adopted in 1902 but only using the first verse as the song was considered too long, the anthem was retained even after the communist revolution in 1959. The anthem is usually performed with a musical introduction, which was composed by Antonio Rodriguez-Ferrer
Originally, the song had three verses. The last two were excluded when the anthem was officially adopted in 1902, because the lyrics were seen to be excessively anti-Spanish[7] and too long compared with the other verses.
Spanish Lyrics for La Bayamesa
Al combate corred bayameses
Que la patria os contempla orgullosa
No temais una muerte gloriosa
Que morir por la patria es vivir
En cadenas vivir es vivir
En afrenta y oprobio sumidos
Del clarin escuchad el sonido
Alas armas valientes corred.
English Translation
Hasten to battle, men of Bayamo
For the homeland looks proudly to you
You do not fear a glorious death
Because to die for the country is to live.
To live in chains
Is to live in dishonour and ignominy
Hear the clarion call
Hasten, brave ones, to battle.
Jo-AnneRamplings 