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Dominican Republic National Anthem

Himno Nacional Dominicano

Dominican National Anthem

1883
1934
Emilio Prud'Homme
José Reyes
🕊 Freedom 🗽 Independence 🚩 Flag ⚔ Battle / War ❤ Love of homeland |

Key Facts

  • 1. Under Law 210-19, everyone who hears the anthem performed at an event must stop walking, stand if seated and uncover their head; failing to do so counts as irreverence, punishable by 15 to 30 days in prison and a fine.
  • 2. The idea came from composer José Reyes: after a copy of the Argentine national anthem reached him, he wanted to write one like it and asked Emilio Prud'Homme for the words. Prud'Homme recalled that the two talked it over and that Reyes later invited him home to hear the music.
  • 3. The anthem was first performed on 17 August 1883 at an evening gathering of the press in the hall of the Esperanza Lodge in Santo Domingo; Prud'Homme revised the lyrics into their present form in 1897.
  • 4. Radio and television stations are required by law to broadcast the anthem at noon on four patriotic days: Duarte Day (26 January), Independence Day (27 February), Restoration Day (16 August) and Constitution Day (6 November).
Dominican Republic - Himno Nacional Dominicano

Dominican Republic National Anthem Lyrics

Only the first four of the twelve stanzas are designated for everyday official use
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.

Translations are non-official and intended to convey meaning, not replace originals

Analysis

Editorial

The lyrics were written by Emilio Prud'Homme and the music by José Reyes. First performed in 1883, it was officially adopted in 1934. The anthem refers to the Dominican people as 'Quisqueyans', after Quisqueya, a name for the island of Hispaniola that early chroniclers recorded as indigenous, though its authenticity has been questioned. It celebrates the Dominican War of Independence against Haitian occupation in 1844.

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Sources & References

  1. Símbolos Patrios y Banda Presidencial: Himno Nacional (12 stanzas; first four for everyday official use, Ley 210-19) . Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores (MIREX)
  2. Himno Nacional . Comisión Permanente de Efemérides Patrias
  3. Gobierno presenta regrabacion del himno nacional dominicano . Presidencia de la Republica Dominicana

Source & Review

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