Noble patria, tu hermosa bandera

Himno Nacional de Costa Rica

English: Costa Rican National Anthem
National anthem of Costa Rica
Also known as	Noble patria, tu hermosa bandera English: Noble homeland, your beautiful flag
Lyrics	José María Zeledón Brenes[1], 1900
Music	Manuel María Gutiérrez
Adopted	1853
Relinquished	Present
Music sample
"Noble patria, tu hermosa bandera" (Instrumental)

"Himno Nacional de Costa Rica" (Spanish for "Costa Rican National Anthem") is the national anthem of Costa Rica. It was originally adopted in 1853, with the music composed by Manuel María Gutiérrez. Words by José María Zeledón Brenes^[2][3] were added in 1900.

Lyrics

Spanish lyrics	English translation
Noble patria, tu hermosa bandera expresión de tu vida nos da; bajo el límpido azul de tu cielo blanca y pura descansa la paz.	Noble homeland, your beautiful flag Proof of your life it gives us Under the unsullied blue of your skies, Peace rests, white and pure.
En la lucha tenaz, de fecunda labor que enrojece del hombre la faz, conquistaron tus hijos labriegos sencillos eterno prestigio, estima y honor. (bis)	In the tenacious struggle of fruitful toil, That which brings a glow to men's faces, Your sons, simple farm hands, Gained eternal renown, esteem and honor. Eternal renown, esteem and honor.
¡Salve, o tierra gentil! ¡Salve, o madre de amor! Cuando alguno pretenda tu gloria manchar, verás a tu pueblo valiente y viril, la tosca herramienta en arma trocar.	Hail, gentle homeland! Hail, mother of love! When anyone should attempt to besmirch your glory, You will see your people, valiant and virile, The rustic tool into a weapon transform.
Salve oh Patria tu pródigo suelo, dulce abrigo y sustento nos da; bajo el límpido azul de tu cielo ¡vivan siempre el trabajo y la paz!	Hail, O homeland! Your prodigal soil Sweet shelter and sustenance gives us. Under the unsullied blue of your sky, May peace and labor ever live!

Zeledon original Lyrics

In the original wording Zeledon, the first stanza read: Costa Rica tu hermosa bandera
Expresión de tu vida nos da:
Bajo el manto azul de tu cielo
Blanca y pura descansa la paz.

The final line says:

'¡Salve, oh patria!, tu pródigo suelo
dulce abrigo y sustento nos da;
bajo el límpido azul de tu cielo,
¡Vivan siempre el trabajo y la paz!...

Important note about the English translation

This is not a direct translation but an adaption of the original text, the goal was to convey the message, the essence of the anthem, not to give a literal translation.

References

1. http://www.teletica.com/archivo/buendia/01/fondo/himno.htm
2. [boletincientec] 38-04 Emblemas y simbolos de la Patria (Costa Rica)
3. http://www.teletica.com/archivo/tn7/nac/2003/09/09/himno.htm

External links

• Costa Rica: Noble patria, tu hermosa bandera - Audio of the national anthem of Costa Rica, with information and lyrics
• WMA File
• Archive MIDI File
• Boletín de Cientec sobre los símbolos patrios
• Himno a la Bandera de Costa Rica - MP3 File
• Más que un canto, Documentary the history of the Lyric and music of the himno.
• La Paz - Debajo del Canto, analysis of texts and events that inspired the national anthem.