National Anthem Comparison
Argentina vs Chile
2
Shared themes
✓
Same mood
7
7 years apart
✓
Same continent
Comparison Analysis
Argentina and Chile, both South America nations, take distinct approaches to their national anthems. Argentina's "Argentine National Anthem" was written in 1812, while Chile's "National Anthem of Chile" dates to 1819.
Both anthems share themes of freedom and battle / war. Argentina additionally explores independence and flag, while Chile also touches on nature and god / faith.
Both anthems carry a majestic tone, creating a similar emotional register despite their geographic distance.
Argentina changed its national anthem in 1900, reflecting a shift in the nation's identity or political landscape.
Shared themes
Argentina
🕊 Freedom 🗽 Independence ⚔ Battle / War 🚩 Flag
Chile
🕊 Freedom 🌿 Nature ⚔ Battle / War ✝ God / Faith
Shared themes:
🕊 Freedom ⚔ Battle / War
Metadata
| Argentina | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Written | 1812 | 1819 |
| Adopted | 1813 | 1847 |
| Lyricist | Vicente López y Planes | Eusebio Lillo (verses) / Bernardo Vera y Pintado (chorus) |
| Composer | Blas Parera | Ramón Carnicer |
| Language | es | es |
| Region | South America | South America |
Lyrics Side by Side
Argentina
Himno Nacional Argentino
Original
Oíd, Mortales, el grito sagrado:
¡Libertad! ¡Libertad! ¡Libertad!
¡Oíd el ruido de rotas cadenas:
ved en trono a la noble Igualdad!
Ya su trono dignísimo abrieron
las Provincias Unidas del Sud
y los libres del mundo responden:
¡Al gran Pueblo Argentino salud!
[Coro]
Sean eternos los laureles
que supimos conseguir:
coronados de gloria vivamos
o juremos con gloria morir.
Translation
Hear, mortals!, the sacred cry:
Freedom! Freedom! Freedom!
Hear the sound of broken chains;
See noble equality enthroned.
Now their most worthy throne have opened
the United Provinces of the South!
And the free peoples of the world reply:
To the great Argentine people, hail!
[Chorus]
May the laurels be eternal
that we knew how to win:
crowned in glory let us live,
or let us swear to die with glory.
Chile
Himno Nacional de Chile
Original
Puro, Chile, es tu cielo azulado;
Puras brisas te cruzan también.
Y tu campo de flores bordado
Es la copia feliz del Edén.
Majestuosa es la blanca montaña
Que te dio por baluarte el Señor,
Y ese mar que tranquilo te baña
Te promete futuro esplendor.
[Coro]
Dulce Patria, recibe los votos
Con que Chile en tus aras juró:
Que o la tumba serás de los libres
O el asilo contra la opresión.
Translation
Pure, Chile, is your blue sky;
Pure breezes cross you too.
And your field embroidered with flowers
Is a happy copy of Eden.
Majestic is the white mountain
That God gave you as a bulwark,
And that sea which peacefully bathes you
Promises you future splendor.
[Chorus]
Sweet homeland, receive the vows
With which Chile swore at your altars:
That you will be either the tomb of the free
Or the refuge against oppression.
Interesting facts
Argentina
- 1. In 1990, rock musician Charly García released his own rock version of the anthem on the album 'Filosofía barata y zapatos de goma'. A complaint denounced it as disrespectful, and the album's release was delayed until the courts authorised the version.
- 2. The anthem opens with a long, elaborate instrumental introduction that mixes fanfare-like and songlike motifs; musicologist Carol A. Hess likens it to the kind of introduction heard in an opera.
- 3. May 11, the date of the anthem's adoption, is celebrated annually in Argentina as 'Día del Himno Nacional Argentino' (National Anthem Day).
Chile
- 1. The original lyrics, which Spaniards living in Chile found warlike and offensive, were replaced in 1847, after Spain had recognized Chile's independence; the negotiations that followed the treaty included an official request to change them
- 2. Ironically, the music was composed by a Spaniard, Ramón Carnicer, who was living in exile in London at the time; Chile's envoy there, Mariano Egaña, had commissioned it
- 3. The fifth verse, the only one sung officially, describes Chile's sky, flowers, mountains and sea; the 1941 decree restored the word 'tranquilo' ('calm') to its line about the sea
Listen
Argentina
Chile
