Panama National Anthem

Himno Istmeño

Hymn of the Isthmus

Written 1903

Adopted 1925

Lyrics Jerónimo de la Ossa

Music Santos Jorge Amatriain

🗽 Independence 🕊 Freedom 🤝 Unity ☮ Peace 🌾 Prosperity | Proud

Key Facts

1. Jorge composed the music in 1897, for piano, as the setting of a patriotic poem called 'Himno a Bolívar', and he titled his piece 'Himno Istmeño'
2. The title 'Himno Istmeño' (Hymn of the Isthmus) refers to the Isthmus of Panama, the narrow strip of land that inspired the construction of the Panama Canal
3. Panama's independence was closely tied to the United States' interest in building the canal, and the anthem's emphasis on 'new nation' reflects this dramatic birth

Panama National Anthem Lyrics

CORO Alcanzamos por fin la victoria En el campo feliz de la unión; Con ardientes fulgores de gloria Se ilumina la nueva nación. Es preciso cubrir con un velo Del pasado el calvario y la cruz; Y que adorne el azul de tu cielo De concordia la espléndida luz. El progreso acaricia tus lares. Al compás de sublime canción, Ves rugir a tus pies ambos mares Que dan rumbo a tu noble misión. (Coro) En tu suelo cubierto de flores A los besos del tibio terral, Terminaron guerreros fragores; Sólo reina el amor fraternal. Adelante la pica y la pala, Al trabajo sin más dilación, Y seremos así prez y gala De este mundo feraz de Colón. (Coro)

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

Analysis

Editorial

The music is by Santos Jorge Amatriain, a Spanish-born bandmaster, and is older than the republic. After Panama declared independence from Colombia on November 3, 1903, his band played it when foreign envoys presented their credentials to the provisional government, and he lengthened it to fit a poem by Jerónimo de la Ossa, published in January 1904. Law 39 of 1906 adopted the anthem provisionally, and Law 28 of 1925 made its adoption definitive. Its title, 'Hymn of the Isthmus,' references Panama's geographic identity as the narrow land bridge connecting North and South America.