Peru

The Peruvian National Anthem, or "Himno Nacional del Perú" in Spanish, is the national anthem of Peru. The song was officially selected as the national anthem in 1821.

See the related links section (below) for audio, sheet music and anthem etiquette.

Spanish lyricsCoroSomos libres, seámoslo siempre,y antes niegue sus luces el solque faltemos al voto solemneque la patria al Eterno elevó.ILargo tiempo el peruano oprimidola ominosa cadena arrastró;condenado a cruel servidumbrelargo tiempo en silencio gimió.Mas apenas el grito sagrado¡Libertad! en sus costas se oyó,la indolencia de esclavo sacude,la humillada cerviz levantó.IIY al estruendo de broncas cadenasque escuchamos tres siglos de horror,de los libres al grito sagradoque oyó atónito el mundo, cesó.Por doquier San Martín inflamado,libertad, libertad, pronunció,y meciendo su base los Andesla anunciaron, también, a una voz.IIICon su influjo los pueblos despiertany cual rayo corrió la opinión;desde el istmo a las tierras del fuego,desde el fuego a la helada región.Todos juran romper el enlaceque Natura a ambos mundos negó,y quebrar ese cetro que Españareclinaba orgullosa en los dos.IVLima cumple ese voto solemne,y, severa, su enojo mostró,al tirano impotente lanzando,que intentaba alargar su opresión.A su esfuerzo saltaron los grillosy los surcos que en sí reparó,le atizaron el odio y venganzaque heredara de su Inca y Señor.VCompatriotas, no más verla esclava.Si humillada tres siglos gimió,para siempre jurémosla libre,manteniendo su propio esplendor.Nuestros brazos, hasta hoy desarmadosestén siempre cebando el cañón,que algún día las playas de Iberiasentirán de su estruendo el terror.VIExcitemos los celos de Españapues presiente con mengua y furorque en concurso de grandes nacionesnuestra patria entrará en parangón.En la lista que de éstas se formellenaremos primero el reglónque el tirano ambicioso Iberino,que la América toda asoló.VIIEn su cima los Andes sostenganla bandera o pendón bicolor,que a los siglos anuncie el esfuerzoque ser libres por siempre nos dio.A su sombra vivamos tranquilos,y al nacer por sus cumbres el sol,renovemos el gran juramentoque rendimos al Dios de Jacob

English translationChorusWe are free, may we always be so,and let the sun rather deny its lightThan allow us to break the solemn vowwhich the motherland elevated to the Eternal.IFor a long time the oppressed Peruviandragged the ominous chain;sentenced to a cruel servitudefor a long time in silence he moaned.But as soon as the sacred cry of"Liberty!" was heard on its coasts,he shook off the indolence of slavery,he raised the humiliated neck.IINow the roar of rough chainsthat we had heard for three centuries of horrorfrom the free, at the sacred crythat the world heard astonished, ceased.Everywhere the inflamed San Martín"Liberty", "Liberty" pronounced;and the Andes, rocking their base,announced it as well, in unison.IIIWith its influx the peoples woke up,and like lighting ran the opinion;from the Isthmus to Tierra del Fuego,and from Tierra del Fuego to the icy region.Everyone vowed to break the linkthat Nature denied to both worlds,and break the sceptre that Spainhad reclined, proud, on both.IVLima fulfilled this solemn vow,and, severe, her anger showedby throwing out the powerless tyrant,who had been trying to extend his oppression.On her endeavor the shackles cracked,and the furrows that she had repaired in herselfstirred up her hatred and vengeance,inherited from her Inca and Lord.VCountrymen, may we see her a slave no more.If for three centuries she moaned, humiliated,forever may we vow that she be free,maintaining her own splendor.Our arms, until today unarmed,be they always readying the cannon,that some day the beaches of Iberiawill feel the horror of its roar.VIMay we arouse the jealousy of Spainsince it has a premonition, with want and furor,that in a contest of great nationsour country will enter in comparison.On the list formed by thesewe shall fill the line first,ahead of the ambitious Iberian tyrant,who devastated all of America.VIIOn its summit may the Andes sustainthe two-color flag or standard,may it announce to the centuries the effortthat gave us being free forever.Under its shadow may we live calmlyand, at the sun's birth over its summits,may we renew the great oathwe rendered to the God of Jacob.
It is called : We will always be free and will stay free.

American musical comedy composer Cole Porter was born in Peru, Indiana on June 9, 1891, into a well-to-do family. He began his musical studies at an early age with piano and violin. His first song, "Song of the Birds," was written at age ten, and soon after his mother had his next composition, "Bobolink Waltz," privately published.

Porter attended Yale, where he wrote several school songs which are still popular among Yale students and alumni. Following his graduation his wealthy grandfather persuaded him to enter Harvard Law school, but he lasted there only two years before he transferred to the School of Arts and Sciences to study music.

His first musical See America First premiered in 1916 and was a flop, closing after only 15 performances. Shortly afterwards he moved to Paris, where he enjoyed life as one of the period's famous expatriates. His inherited wealth allowed him to live a lavish lifestyle, giving many fabulous parties and entertainments. He continued his musical studies there at the Schola Cantorum, composing for musical theater and ballet.

His marriage to socialite beauty Linda Lee Thomas in 1919 lasted until her death in 1954. By the end of the decade, he began to achieve success on Broadway with Paris in 1928, followed by Fifty Million Frenchmen in 1929. In the 1930's he produced one musical comedy hit show after another, including The Gay Divorcee, Anything Goes, Jubilee, Red, Hot, and Blue, and Dubarry Was a Lady. He also wrote a number of scores for Hollywood musicals, including Born to Dance, High Society, and others.

A 1937 horseback riding accident left Porter crippled his legs and for the rest of his life he was in almost constant pain. He buried himself in work, producing Panama Hattie and Something for The Boys. After a number of slow years, his all-time greatest success, Kiss Me, Kate premiered in 1948, and ran more than a thousand performances. Silk Stockingsand Can-Can followed in the 50's.

Perhaps Cole Porter's greatest legacy is the treasure trove of songs which were introduced in his musicals, but became beloved for themselves as performed by leading vocalists of the popular concert stage. Who can forget "Begin the Beguine," "So In Love," "In the Still of The Night," "You'd Be So Nice to Come Home to," and so many others. In 1960 he was awarded an honorary doctorate by his alma mater, Yale University.

Much more reclusive after the amputation of one of his crippled legs in 1958, Cole Porter died in Hollywood in October of 1964.