National Anthem Comparison
Colombia vs Panama
2
Shared themes
✓
Same mood
16
16 years apart
✗
Different continents
Comparison Analysis
Colombia (South America) and Panama (North America) come from different parts of the world, yet both express national identity through song. Colombia's "National Anthem of the Republic of Colombia" was written in 1887; Panama's "Hymn of the Isthmus" in 1903.
Both anthems share themes of freedom and independence. Colombia additionally explores battle / war and god / faith, while Panama also touches on unity, peace and prosperity.
Both anthems carry a proud tone, creating a similar emotional register despite their geographic distance.
Shared themes
Colombia
🕊 Freedom 🗽 Independence ⚔ Battle / War ✝ God / Faith
Panama
🗽 Independence 🕊 Freedom 🤝 Unity ☮ Peace 🌾 Prosperity
Shared themes:
🕊 Freedom 🗽 Independence
Metadata
| Colombia | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Written | 1887 | 1903 |
| Adopted | 1920 | 1925 |
| Lyricist | Rafael Núñez | Jerónimo de la Ossa |
| Composer | Oreste Sindici | Santos Jorge Amatriain |
| Language | es | es |
| Region | South America | Central America |
Lyrics Side by Side
Colombia
Himno Nacional de la República de Colombia
Original
[Coro]
¡Oh gloria inmarcesible!
¡Oh júbilo inmortal!
En surcos de dolores
El bien germina ya.
Cesó la horrible noche,
La libertad sublime
Derrama las auroras
De su invencible luz.
La humanidad entera,
Que entre cadenas gime,
Comprende las palabras
Del que murió en la cruz.
Translation
[Chorus]
Oh unfading glory!
Oh immortal joy!
In furrows of sorrow
Goodness now germinates.
The horrible night has ceased,
Sublime liberty
Spreads the dawns
Of its invincible light.
All of humanity,
Which groans in chains,
Understands the words
Of the one who died on the cross.
Panama
Himno Istmeño
Original
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)
Translation
[Chorus]
We finally achieved victory
In the joyful field of union;
With ardent rays of glory
The new nation is illuminated.
It is necessary to cover with a veil
The calvary and cross of the past;
And let the blue of your sky
Be adorned by the splendid light of concord.
Progress caresses your homes
To the rhythm of a sublime song,
You see both seas roar at your feet,
Giving direction to your noble mission.
[Chorus]
On your soil covered with flowers,
Kissed by the warm land breeze,
Warriors' thunders have ended;
Only fraternal love reigns.
Forward with pick and shovel,
To work without further delay,
And thus we shall be the pride and glory
Of this fertile world of Columbus.
[Chorus]
Interesting facts
Colombia
- 1. The full anthem has a chorus and eleven stanzas, but it is almost never sung in full: most Colombians, and most official ceremonies, sing only the chorus and the first stanza.
- 2. The first stanza invokes Christ: all humanity, 'groaning in chains', understands 'the words of the one who died on the cross'.
- 3. Under Law 198 of 1995, radio and television stations that broadcast around the clock must play the official version of the anthem every day at 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM; stations with shorter schedules play it when they open and close their daily broadcasts.
Panama
- 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
Listen
Colombia
Panama
