An Anthem with No Words!

I'd never given this a thought before!

On the many occasions when Fernando Alonzo steps onto the top step of the podium having won yet another Grand Prix, I remember just how gormless he appears when the Spanish national anthem strikes up.  He seems to be mumbling something-but they are not the lyrics of the anthem- there aren't any! Here you can download a midi version of the "Marcha Real".

There's also a potted history:

"The "Marcha Real" first appeared in a book of military bugle calls dating from 1761, known as the "Marcha Granadera". In 1770 King Carlos  III declared it as the official "honour march", and was played at events attended by the royal family. It was then soon known as the Royal  March ("Marcha Real").

    The origin of the melody is in dispute. Several traditions claim that it  originated in parts of Europe outside Spain (such as France and Germany), and indeed the music is not typical of Spanish music.    

There was a contest held in 1870 to have a new national anthem of Spain, but no winner was declared and the "Marcha Real" remained as Spain's anthem. There have also been many attempts to compose lyrics for the anthem, but, perhaps in a show of conciliation, none have been officially declared.

    After the anthem was replaced by the Republican forces in the Spanish Civil  War with "Himno Riego", the victorious   monarchist forces restored the "Marcha Real" by a decree from General Franco in July 1942. In 1997 the royal family issued a decree regulating  the official use of the Marcha Real."

Today, some of the Spanish sports authorities are  so fed up with the  stars being unable, like their French or Italian counterparts, to blast out the words of their anthem-with tears rolling down their cheeks-  want some lyrics.

The leader of the Popular Party (PP) Mariano Rajoy, suggested that before any words are added to the anthem, they ought to be approved by the Parliament. He seems to be getting support from the ruling Socialists.

In a country with four official languages, Castilian Spanish, Catalan, Galician and  Basque, it ain't going to  be easy is it?

Comments

[Peter Harvey]

Another point is that till 1997 the Spanish State didn't own the intellectual property rights over its national anthem and had to pay royalties every time it was played!

I can't see why it needs words. If the athletes don't like it, that's their problem. Several sets of words have been written to it but are never used. They can be seen on Spanish Wikipedia here: http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcha_Real

At the 2003 Davis Cup in Australia they played the Republican himno de Riego when the Spanish players appeared. The Spanish Secretary of State for Sport, who was there, ordered the players to return to their dressing rooms and an official complaint was made. The reason for the 'mistake' was never satisfactorily cleared up.

Some corrections to what you have posted. It was not the monarchists that were victorious in 1939. It is true that many monarchists supported Franco because they didn't like the 'Reds', but they only reluctantly formed part of his Movement because they wanted a restoration of the monarchy and he kept stringing them along and eventually setting himself up as the Head of State. It is perfectly possible in Spain to be a monarchist and loathe Franco.

The himno de Riego was the official anthem of the Second Republic from its beginning in 1931, not only during the war.

Also, it is not true that 'the royal family issued a decree regulating the official use of the Marcha Real'. A Royal Decree in Spain is issued by the Government. It is signed by the King but like a Ministerial Order, I suppose. It has the force of law but does not have to go through Parliament. There are many such decrees covering all aspects of legislation and administration. Personal data protection, for example, is regulated by a Royal Decree.