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 | December 22, 1942 | 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 Carlemany.
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 life was given me
By the great Mother of Meritxell.
A princess I was born, sole heiress,
Between two nations neutral;
I remain the only daughter
Of the empire of Charlemagne.
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, Andorra's only official language, which is also co-official in 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' along with the music to fill the silence where lyrics would be.
- 2. In 1770 King Charles III declared the Marcha Granadera the March of Honour, to be played at public ceremonies attended by the royal family; Spaniards soon came to regard it as their national anthem, and its popular name, the Royal March, comes from that royal use.
- 3. In 1997 the Spanish State bought the rights to Bartolomé Pérez Casas's 1908 harmonisation of the anthem, paying the rights holders 130 million pesetas plus a percentage of future income.
- 4. Royal Decree 1560/1997 fixes the official score in B-flat major: the full version lasts 52 seconds and the short version 27.
Listen
Andorra
Spain
