Here are the lyrics and a brief history of the national anthem of Portugal, 'A Portuguesa', which rouses the troops before many a sporting encounter but which had its origins in patriotic protest.
When was Portugal's national anthem, 'A Portuguesa', written and composed?
When the British gave the Portuguese an ultimatum in 1890 about its African colonies, it ignited the Portuguese nationalist movement. And, when the news came out that Portugal's monarch and government had agreed to Britain's terms composer Alfredo Keil furiously put pen to paper. A patriotic protest march was the result, which, once the lyrics had been added by Henrique Lopes de Mendonça, became known as 'A Portuguesa'.
Why was it banned?
'A Portuguesa' soon became popular and was adopted as a republican hymn, which led it to being, rather predictably, banned. However the song wasn't forgotten and when the monarchy was overthrown in 1910 'A Portuguesa' became recognised as the new Republic's national anthem
Portugal national anthem lyrics - in English
Heroes of the sea, noble people,
Brave, immortal nation,
Raise once again today
The splendor of Portugal!
Among the mist of memory,
Oh Fatherland, one feels the voice
Of your distinguished forefathers,
That shall lead you on to victory!
Chorus
To arms, to arms!
Over land, over sea,
To arms, to arms!
For the Fatherland, fight!
Against the cannons, march on, march on!
Hoist the undefeated flag,
In the lively light of your sky!
May Europe cry out to the whole Earth:
Portugal has not perished
Kiss your merry ground
The ocean, roaring with love,
And your victorious arm
Gave new worlds to the world!
Chorus
Salute the Sun that rises
Over a gleeful future;
Let the echo of an offense
Be the sign for a comeback.
Rays of this strong dawn
Are like a mother's kisses,
That keep us, sustain us,
Against the injuries of fate.
What are the Portuguese lyrics to 'A Portuguesa'?
Heróis 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!
Coro
Às armas, às armas!
Sobre a terra, sobre o mar,
Às armas, às armas!
Pela Pátria lutar!
Contra os canhões marchar, marchar!
Desfralda 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 teu braço vencedor
Deu mundos novos ao Mundo!
Coro
Saudai o Sol que desponta
Sobre um ridente porvir;
Seja o eco de uma afronta
O sinal do ressurgir.
Raios dessa aurora forte
São como beijos de mãe,
Que nos guardam, nos sustêm,
Contra as injúrias da sorte.
Coro
More national anthem lyrics
We've got dozens more national anthem lyrics elsewhere on our website. If you're looking for the lyrics to the anthems of Portugal's Group F rivals at Euro 2024, you've come to the right place.Here are the lyrics to the national anthem of Portugal, the Turkish national anthem, and the national anthem of Georgia.