Many thanks to all of you that submitted ideas on where to find “Untouched Spain” – I have updated the map on the original post.
Also Found, Lyrics for the Spanish National Anthem
“Spain has finally found the words to match its national anthem – which has been lyric-less since 1978 … The winning words, written by Paulino Cubero, an unemployed 52-year-old Madrid resident, try to be all things to all people.” Full article in The Guardian.
The lyrics do sound a little… um… well, you decide: “Long live Spain!… Love the Fatherland… Glory to the sons, who have given to history, justice and greatness, democracy and peace…” (Full lyrics in English in the Guardian piece, and in Spanish here.)
Mrmark
13 Jan 08 at 1:04 pm
People always complain about the dirge we have in the UK, and often suggest a replacement. I’m beginning to wonder if, in today’s global world, we need a national anthem at all? It surely doesn’t make our country better/worse ?
Andrew
13 Jan 08 at 1:40 pm
We only need national anthems so we can sing at international football matches but I can’t see the Catalans and Basques adopting this one. The lyrics do seem a bit out-dated and German, particularly if translating Patria to Fatherland. Too male dominated too – father/brother/sons. Hopefully it will be rejected in favour of a more jolly song with references to paella, jamon, flamenco, Penelope Cruz…
Jon Hundt
14 Jan 08 at 5:48 pm
There are many Americans who complain about our own rousing national anthem, and would replace it with a much sappier song.
I can’t see much to complain about in the English translation, but then again I am neither Basque nor Catalan.
The lyrics (as translated) are far less controversial than those of the US, Dutch, or French anthems. He did a good job of saying positive yet unoffensive things.
If the Basques or Catalans asked me, I’d probably give ‘em a gentle nudge and say “it could be a lot worse, come on it’s really just a nice song to sing together ot special events”.
Dave_K
14 Jan 08 at 6:23 pm
Very bland, very un-Spanish.
ValenciaSon
14 Jan 08 at 7:08 pm
No palabrotas?
Graham Tappenden
17 Jan 08 at 7:55 am
@Andrew: very German???
The first line of the German national anthem is “Unity and justice and freedom”!
OK, admittedly “For the German fatherland”…
But is there a big difference between singing “fatherland” and “motherland”?
Land of Hope and Glory, Mother of the Free…
It is one of the hottest debating topics in Germany, perhaps more so than in other countries – how patriotic are you allowed to be?
Chris Boswell
17 Jan 08 at 8:18 am
Unfortunately, national anthems are always going to be a source of contention whatever the country and whatever the lyrics, since they are by their nature self-congratulationary and nationalistic. There’s always going to be something in there to get the heckles up of someone.
Wannabegafapasta
24 May 08 at 4:34 pm
Spanish anthem has ALWAYS been lyric-less. It was, at origin, a military Grenadiers’ March, chosen by the king Charles the Third as the National Anthem. Except a brief period when the National Anthem was the Riego’s Hymn, it has always remained the same (during Franco’s regime an UNOFFICIAL text was produced by the then deemed official poet of the regime, José María Pemán, but it was never approved of).