Cuba
La Bayamesa
The Bayamo Song
1868
1902
Pedro Figueredo
Pedro Figueredo
⚔ Battle / War 🕊 Freedom 🗽 Independence 🚩 Flag |
Context
Written and composed by Pedro Figueredo during the Ten Years' War against Spanish colonial rule. He wrote the lyrics on horseback on October 20, 1868, the day Bayamo was captured by rebel forces. Figueredo was later captured and executed by the Spanish in 1870. The anthem became official when Cuba gained independence in 1902.
Lyrics
Al combate corred bayameses,
Que la patria os contempla orgullosa;
No temais una muerte gloriosa,
Que morir por la patria es vivir.
En cadenas vivir, es vivir
En afrenta y oprobio sumido;
Del clarin escuchad el sonido;
A las armas, valientes, corred!
Translations are non-official and intended to convey meaning, not replace originals
Interesting facts
- • Pedro Figueredo composed the melody in secret and premiered it as an orchestral piece at a church in Bayamo in 1867, hidden as sacred music to avoid Spanish censorship
- • He wrote the lyrics while on horseback during the Battle of Bayamo in 1868, scribbling them on paper as crowds demanded words to the melody
- • Figueredo was captured and executed by Spanish forces in 1870, becoming one of Cuba's most revered martyrs of independence