National Anthem Comparison
Colombia vs Venezuela
2
Shared themes
✗
Different moods
77
77 years apart
✓
Same continent
Comparison Analysis
Colombia and Venezuela, both South America nations, take distinct approaches to their national anthems. Colombia's "National Anthem of the Republic of Colombia" was written in 1887, while Venezuela's "Glory to the Brave People" dates to 1810.
Both anthems share themes of Freedom and Battle / War. Colombia additionally explores Independence and God / Faith, while Venezuela also touches on Revolution, Flag and Unity.
The emotional tones differ: Colombia's anthem is Proud, while Venezuela's is Fierce.
Venezuela's anthem predates Colombia's by 77 years, having been written in 1810 compared to 1887.
Shared themes
Colombia
🕊 Freedom 🗽 Independence ⚔ Battle / War ✝ God / Faith
Venezuela
🕊 Freedom ⚔ Battle / War 🔥 Revolution 🚩 Flag 🤝 Unity
Shared themes:
🕊 Freedom ⚔ Battle / War
Metadata
| Colombia | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Written | 1887 | 1810 |
| Adopted | 1920 | 1881 |
| Lyricist | Rafael Nunez | Vicente Salias |
| Composer | Oreste Sindici | Juan Jose Landaeta |
| Language | es | es |
| Region | South America | South America |
Lyrics Side by Side
Colombia
Himno Nacional de la Republica 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.
Venezuela
Gloria al Bravo Pueblo
Original
[Coro]
¡Gloria al bravo pueblo
Que el yugo lanzó,
La Ley respetando,
La virtud y honor!
¡Abajo cadenas! (bis)
Gritaba el señor; (bis)
Y el pobre en su choza
Libertad pidió.
A este santo nombre
Tembló de pavor
El vil egoísmo que otra vez triunfó.
[Coro]
Gritemos con brío: (bis)
¡Muera la opresión! (bis)
Compatriotas fieles,
La fuerza es la unión;
Y desde el empíreo,
El Supremo Autor
Un sublime aliento
Al pueblo infundió.
[Coro]
Unida con lazos (bis)
Que el cielo formó, (bis)
La América toda
Existe en nación;
Y si el despotismo
Levanta la voz,
Seguid el ejemplo
Que Caracas dio.
[Coro]
Translation
[Chorus]
Glory to the brave people
Who shook off the yoke,
Respecting the law,
Virtue and honor!
Down with chains! (bis)
Cried the lord; (bis)
And the poor man in his hut
Asked for freedom.
At this holy name
Vile selfishness trembled in fear,
Which had once again triumphed.
[Chorus]
Let us cry out with vigor: (bis)
Death to oppression! (bis)
Faithful compatriots,
Strength lies in union;
And from the empyrean,
The Supreme Author
Breathed a sublime spirit
Into the people.
[Chorus]
United by bonds (bis)
That heaven formed, (bis)
All of America
Exists as a nation;
And if despotism
Raises its voice,
Follow the example
That Caracas gave.
[Chorus]
Interesting facts
Colombia
- 1. A complete performance of all eleven verses takes over five minutes, making it impractical for sporting events where only the chorus and first verse are sung.
- 2. The anthem quotes Biblical imagery in its opening stanza, comparing Colombia's suffering to the passion of Christ, which is unusual for a Latin American state anthem.
- 3. Colombian law requires that all radio and television stations broadcast the anthem at 6:00 AM and midnight every day.
Venezuela
- 1. Venezuela was the first Spanish American colony to formally declare independence, on July 5, 1811, and its anthem reflects this pioneering revolutionary spirit
- 2. Both the lyricist Vicente Salias and the composer Juan Jose Landaeta were executed by Spanish royalist forces during the wars of independence
- 3. The anthem's authorship has been debated; some historians attribute the music to Lino Gallardo rather than Landaeta
Listen
Colombia
Venezuela
