National Anthem of the Dominican Republic

"Himno Nacional" ("National Anthem") is the national anthem of the Dominican Republic. The music was written by José Reyes (1835-1905) and the lyrics (words of the song) by Emilio Prud'homme (1856-1932).

This anthem was played for the first time on 17 August 1883 in Santo Domingo. In 1897, Prud'homme made some corrections to its original poem.

"Himno Nacional" was made the official Dominican national anthem on 30 May 1934.

 Lyrics 
Spanish originalEnglish translationI
Brave Quisqueyans,
Let’s raise our song with vivid emotion,
From the world to the face of the earth
Show our unconquered glorious banner.

Hail, the nation who strong and intrepid,
Into war launched itself set to die
When in a warring challenge to the death
Its chains of slavery still it cut off.

No people deserves to be free
If it’s an indolent slave and servile;
If in its chest doesn't grow the flame
that forged virile heroism.

But Quisqueya the brave and indomitable
Always proudly her forehead will raise
For if she were a thousand times a slave
This many times it will be free.

II
And if fraud and cunning exposed her
To disdain of an intrusive man,
Las Carreras! Beler!...were fields
Which covered in glory were seen.

At the top of our heroic bastion,
Word of the free was materialized,
Where the genius of Sanchez and Duarte
Taught us to be free or to die.

And if could inconsiderate leader
Reduce the luster of these glories,
Of the war seen in Capotillo
The banner of fire waves on.

And the fire that leaves shocked
The arrogant lion from Castile,
Removes it from glorious beaches to
Where floats the banner that’s crossed.

III
Compatriots, let’s show erect our
Forehead, proud of today for;
Quisqueya will be destroyed
But it will never be again enslaved.

That every chest is of love a sanctuary
Where one feels the homeland lives;
It is the law her invincible shield;
It is her motto be free or die.

Liberty that still serenely lifts up
Victory in her triumphal carriage.
The trumpet of war still resounds
Proclaiming her immortal glory

Freedom! Let the echoes agitate
While full of noble anxiety
Our battlefields of glory reverb these words -
Freedom! Freedom! Freedom!

Poetic translation
[Stanza 1:]
Brave Quisqueya, let us rise and sing,
Our song with fervent hearts we will bring.
From the world's face, let our banner fly,
Our glorious flag, until we die.
Hail to the people, fearless and true,
To the war, they charged, for freedom they flew.
When faced with death, their shackles were torn,
Boldly against despair, they were reborn.

No nation can be free if they bow,
If enslaved with no strength to the vow.
The fire within must spark and ignite,
With valiant courage, they'll stand and fight.
Yet indomitable Quisqueya stands tall,
With head held high, they won't ever fall.
Though bound a thousand times in despair,
A thousand times, they'll rise from the snare.

[Stanza 2:]
Though treachery tried to dim their bright flame,
And intruders sought to bring them great shame,
In fields of glory, they stood revered,
Where deeds of honor and valor appeared.
On the heights of the stronghold so grand,
The words of the free forever will stand,
Where Sánchez and Duarte taught them to be,
To be free or die, proud in victory.

And if a reckless leader chose to blind,
The light of glory that freedom designed,
In Capotillo, the brave flag was raised,
A firestorm of courage that amazed.
And the blaze that stunned the haughty lion,
Drove him from shores where his pride was a scion,
Where the cross stands high in bold, flowing show,
Their spirit unyielding, forever aglow.

[Stanza 3:]
Compatriots, let's hold our heads up strong,
With pride today, we know where we belong.
Quisqueya will never be broken down,
Through trials and struggles, we stand our ground.
For each heart is a temple of love,
Where our homeland feels life from above.
And its shield is our right to be free,
With the motto: "To Live Boldly, Be Free."

Liberty that stands with a bright glow,
Victory rides in her triumphal show.
And the call of war still echoes so clear,
Proclaiming glory through joy without fear.
Liberty! Let the echoes arise,
While we fill our fields with noble cries.
Our fields of glory resonate and shout,
Liberty! Liberty! Liberty!

 References 

 Other websites 
 Mi País - República Dominicana (Spanish)
 Listen the Dominican national anthem (.mp3 format)

Category:National symbols of the Dominican Republic
Dominican
Dom