National Anthem Comparison
Bolivia vs Peru
3
Shared themes
✓
Same mood
24
24 years apart
✓
Same continent
Comparison Analysis
Bolivia and Peru, both South America nations, take distinct approaches to their national anthems. Bolivia's "National Anthem of Bolivia" was written in 1845, while Peru's "National Anthem of Peru" dates to 1821.
Both anthems share themes of Freedom, Independence and Battle / War. Bolivia additionally explores Peace, while Peru also touches on Revolution.
Both anthems carry a Defiant tone, creating a similar emotional register despite their geographic distance.
Shared themes
Bolivia
🕊 Freedom 🗽 Independence ⚔ Battle / War ☮ Peace
Peru
🕊 Freedom 🗽 Independence ⚔ Battle / War 🔥 Revolution
Shared themes:
🕊 Freedom 🗽 Independence ⚔ Battle / War
Metadata
| Bolivia | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Written | 1845 | 1821 |
| Adopted | 1851 | 1821 |
| Lyricist | Jose Ignacio de Sanjines | Jose de la Torre Ugarte |
| Composer | Leopoldo Benedetto Vincenti | Jose Bernardo Alcedo |
| Language | es | es |
| Region | South America | South America |
Lyrics Side by Side
Bolivia
Himno Nacional de Bolivia
Original
[Coro]
Bolivianos, el hado propicio
Coronó nuestros votos y anhelo;
Es ya libre, ya libre este suelo,
Ya cesó su servil condición.
Al estruendo marcial que ayer fuera
Y al clamor de la guerra horroroso,
Signen hoy en contraste armonioso
Dulces himnos de paz y de unión.
Signen hoy en contraste armonioso
Dulces himnos de paz y de unión.
De la Patria, el alto nombre,
En glorioso esplendor conservemos;
Que en sus aras de nuevo juremos:
¡Morir antes que esclavos vivir!
[Coro]
Loor eterno a los bravos guerreros
Cuyo heroico valor y firmeza
Conquistaron las glorias que empiezan
Hoy Bolivia feliz a gozar.
Que sus nombres el mármol y el bronce
A remotas edades transmitan;
Y en sonoros cantares repitan:
¡Libertad! ¡Libertad! ¡Libertad!
[Coro]
Aquí alzó la justicia su trono
Que la vil opresión desconoce,
Y en su timbre glorioso se oye:
¡Libertad! ¡Libertad! ¡Libertad!
Esta tierra inocente y hermosa,
Que ha debido a Bolívar su nombre,
Es la Patria feliz donde el hombre
Goza el bien de la dicha y la paz.
[Coro]
Translation
[Chorus]
Bolivians, a propitious fate
Crowned our vows and longings;
This land is now free, free,
Its servile condition has ceased.
The martial thunder that yesterday was heard
And the horrendous clamor of war,
Are followed today in harmonious contrast
By sweet hymns of peace and of union.
Are followed today in harmonious contrast
By sweet hymns of peace and of union.
Of the Fatherland, the lofty name,
In glorious splendor let us preserve;
That upon its altars we swear anew:
To die before living as slaves!
[Chorus]
Eternal praise to the brave warriors
Whose heroic valor and firmness
Conquered the glories that now
Happy Bolivia begins to enjoy.
May their names in marble and bronze
Transmit to remote ages;
And in sonorous songs repeat:
Freedom! Freedom! Freedom!
[Chorus]
Here justice raised its throne
That vile oppression ignores,
And in its glorious voice is heard:
Freedom! Freedom! Freedom!
This innocent and beautiful land,
That owes its name to Bolivar,
Is the happy fatherland where man
Enjoys the blessings of happiness and peace.
[Chorus]
Peru
Himno Nacional del Peru
Original
[Coro]
Somos libres, seámoslo siempre,
Seámoslo siempre,
Y antes niegue sus luces el sol,
Que faltemos al voto solemne
Que la patria al Eterno elevó.
Largo tiempo el peruano oprimido
La ominosa cadena arrastró;
Condenado a una cruel servidumbre,
Largo tiempo en silencio gimió.
Mas apenas el grito sagrado
¡Libertad! En sus costas se oyó,
La indolencia de esclavo sacude,
La humillada cerviz levantó.
Translation
[Chorus]
We are free, let us always be so,
Let us always be so,
And let the sun sooner deny its light
Than that we fail the solemn vow
That the homeland raised to the Eternal.
For a long time the oppressed Peruvian
Dragged the ominous chain;
Condemned to a cruel servitude,
For a long time he groaned in silence.
But as soon as the sacred cry of
Freedom! Was heard on its shores,
He shook off the indolence of the slave,
And raised his humiliated head.
Interesting facts
Bolivia
- 1. Bolivia is named after Simon Bolivar, though he only served as the country's first president for a few months
- 2. The music was composed by an Italian immigrant, following a common pattern in Latin American anthem history where European composers were commissioned
- 3. Bolivia is one of two landlocked countries in South America, having lost its coastline to Chile in the War of the Pacific (1879-1884), a loss still deeply felt by Bolivians
Peru
- 1. The original manuscript of the anthem's score was lost for decades and only rediscovered in the National Library of Peru in the early 20th century.
- 2. Peru's anthem originally had six stanzas with graphic descriptions of battle violence; the lyrics were toned down in an official 2009 revision by the Constitutional Tribunal.
- 3. The opening words 'Somos libres' (We are free) have become such an iconic national catchphrase that they appear on Peruvian coins, murals, and protest banners alike.
Listen
Bolivia
Peru
