National Anthem Comparison
Andorra vs Spain
0
Shared themes
✓
Same mood
153
153 years apart
✓
Same continent
Comparison Analysis
Andorra and Spain, both Europe nations, take distinct approaches to their national anthems. Andorra's "The Great Charlemagne" was written in 1914, while Spain's "Royal March" dates to 1761.
The two anthems take different thematic approaches. Andorra's focuses on Ancestors / Heritage, Freedom, God / Faith and Monarchy, while Spain's centers on .
Both anthems carry a Majestic tone, creating a similar emotional register despite their geographic distance.
Spain's anthem predates Andorra's by 153 years, having been written in 1761 compared to 1914.
Shared themes
Andorra
🏺 Ancestors / Heritage 🕊 Freedom ✝ God / Faith 👑 Monarchy
Spain
Metadata
| Andorra | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Written | 1914 | 1761 |
| Adopted | 1914 | 1770 |
| Lyricist | Joan Benlloch i Vivo | |
| Composer | Enric Marfany Bons | Unknown (attributed to Manuel de Espinosa de los Monteros) |
| Language | ca | es |
| Region | Southern Europe | Southern Europe |
Lyrics Side by Side
Andorra
El Gran Carlemany
Original
El gran Carlemany, mon pare,
Dels alarbs em deslliurà,
I del cel vida em donà
De Meritxell, la gran Mare.
Princesa nasquí i pubilla
Entre dues nacions neutral;
Sols resto l'única filla
De l'imperi Carolingi.
Creient i lliure onze segles,
Creient i lliure vull ser.
Siguin els furs mos tutors
I mos Prínceps defensors!
I mos Prínceps defensors!
Translation
The great Charlemagne, my father,
From the Arabs set me free,
And from heaven granted me life
Through Meritxell, the great Mother.
A princess I was born, sole heiress,
Between two nations neutral;
I remain the only daughter
Of the Carolingian empire.
Believing and free for eleven centuries,
Believing and free I wish to be.
May the laws be my guardians
And my Princes my defenders!
And my Princes my defenders!
Spain
Marcha Real
Instrumental (no lyrics)
Interesting facts
Andorra
- 1. Andorra's anthem refers to Charlemagne as the country's founding father
- 2. Written in Catalan, the co-official language shared with parts of Spain
- 3. Describes Andorra as a neutral daughter between two nations (France and Spain)
Spain
- 1. At Spanish sporting events, fans often hum or chant 'lo lo lo' to fill the silence where lyrics would be, creating an unofficial sing-along tradition unique among national anthems.
- 2. The Marcha Real may be the oldest anthem melody still in use in Europe; its first documented appearance is in a 1761 military document titled 'The March of the Grenadiers.'
- 3. Spain's regional divisions make adopting lyrics nearly impossible, as any text referencing Castilian identity would be rejected by Catalonia, the Basque Country, and Galicia, while a vague text satisfies no one.
Listen
Andorra
Spain
