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Portugal national anthem

A Portuguesa ("The Portuguese") is the national anthem of Portugal, with words by Henrique Lopes de Mendonça and music by Alfredo Keil. It was adopted in 1911.

Facts awaiting a check against primary sources

Lyrics

A Portuguesa

IHeróis do mar, nobre povo,
Nação valente, imortal,
Levantai hoje de novo
O esplendor de Portugal!
Entre as brumas da memória,
Ó Pátria, sente-se a voz
Dos teus egrégios avós,
Que há-de guiar-te à vitória!

Refrão (Chorus)Às armas, às armas!
Sobre a terra, sobre o mar,
Às armas, às armas!
Pela Pátria lutar!
Contra os canhões marchar, marchar!

IIDesfralda a invicta Bandeira,
À luz viva do teu céu!
Brade a Europa à terra inteira:
Portugal não pereceu
Beija o solo teu jucundo
O Oceano, a rugir d’amor,
E o teu braço vencedor
Deu novos mundos ao Mundo!

Refrão

IIISaudai o Sol que desponta
Sobre um ridente porvir;
Seja o eco de uma afronta
O sinal de ressurgir.
Raios dessa aurora forte
São como beijos de mãe,
Que nos guardam, nos sustêm,
Contra as injúrias da sorte.

Refrão

English translation

IHeroes of the sea, noble people,
Brave and immortal nation,
Rise up once again today
The splendor of Portugal!
Amid the mists of memory,
Oh Fatherland, one feels the voice
Of your illustrious ancestors
Who shall guide you to victory!

ChorusTo arms, to arms!
On land and on sea,
To arms, to arms!
For the Fatherland fight!
Against the cannons, march, march!

IIUnfurl the invincible flag
In the bright light of your sky!
Let Europe proclaim to the whole earth:
Portugal has not perished.
Kiss your joyous soil
The ocean, roaring with love,
And your conquering arm
Gave new worlds to the world!

Chorus

IIISalute the rising sun
Over a smiling future;
Let the echo of an insult
Be the sign of resurgence.
Rays of that strong dawn
Are like a mother’s kisses,
That protect and sustain us
Against the injuries of fate.

Watch

History

Official ceremonies typically use only the first verse and the chorus.

Written in 1890 in response to a British ultimatum forcing Portugal to withdraw from parts of Africa, it became a rallying cry for republican movements.

Sources

Primary sources for this page are being added.

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More anthems from Europe