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 original

English translation

I Quisqueyanos valientes, alcemos Nuestro canto con viva emoción, Y del mundo a la faz ostentemos Nuestro invicto glorioso pendón. ¡Salve! el pueblo que, intrépido y fuerte, A la guerra a morir se lanzó, Cuando en bélico reto de muerte Sus cadenas de esclavo rompió. Ningún pueblo ser libre merece Si es esclavo indolente y servil; Si en su pecho la llama no crece Que templó el heroísmo viril, Mas Quisqueya la indómita y brava Siempre altiva la frente alzará; Que si fuere mil veces esclava Otras tantas ser libre sabrá. II Que si dolo y ardid la expusieron De un intruso señor al desdén, ¡Las Carreras! ¡Beller!, campos fueron Que cubiertos de gloria se ven. Que en la cima de heroíco baluarte De los libres el verbo encarnó, Donde el genio de Sánchez y Duarte A ser libre o morir enseñó. Y si pudo inconsulto caudillo De esas glorias el brillo empañar, De la guerra se vio en Capotillo La bandera de fuego ondear. Y el incendio que atónito deja De Castilla al soberbio león, De las playas gloriosas le aleja Donde flota el cruzado pendón. III Compatriotas, mostremos erguida Nuestra frente, orgullosos de hoy más; Que Quisqueya será destruida Pero sierva de nuevo, ¡jamás! Que es santuario de amor cada pecho Do la patria se siente vivir; Y es su escudo invencible el derecho; Y es su lema ser libre o morir. ¡Libertad! que aún se yergue serena La Victoria en su carro triunfal, Y el clarín de la guerra aún resuena Pregonando su gloria inmortal. ¡Libertad! Que los ecos se agiten Mientras llenos de noble ansiedad Nuestros campos de gloria repiten ¡Libertad! ¡Libertad! ¡Libertad!

I 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!

Other websites

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