After Peru declared its independence in 1820, General José de San Martín began a public contest to select the National March, which was published on the 7th of August 1821 in the Gaceta Ministerial (Ministerial Gazette). After hearing all the presented compositions, they selected the last production of Master José Bernardo Alcedo.
At the end of the contest General José de San Martín stood up and exclaimed exited: "with no doubt, this is the National Anthem of Peru". The following day a signed decree confirmed the choice, and they performed publicly the anthem for the first time in the night of the 23rd of September 1821 in the Theater of Lima.
There have been various changes to the lyrics, but the official version of the National Anthem as known today has finally been sanctioned by the Peruvian Government in September 2009.
When the anthem is played on official occasions or ceremonies, the right hand is placed on the heart and it is quite common that the end of the anthem is followed by a shout: "Viva el Peru!" - "Long Live Peru!"
Lyrics of the National Anthem in Spanish & English
Below you'll find a "side by side" translation (Spanish-English) of the lyrics of the National Anthem of Peru.
Spanish lyricsCoroSomos libres I Verse (former official sung verse)Largo tiempo el peruano oprimido II VerseY al estruendo de broncas cadenas III VerseCon su influjo los pueblos despiertan IV VerseLima cumple ese voto solemne, V VerseCompatriotas, no más verla esclava. VI (Former fifth verse)Excitemos los celos de España VII (Present Official sung verse)En su cima los Andes sostengan | English translationChorusWe are free! I (former official sung verse)For a long time the oppressed Peruvian II VerseNow the roar of rough chains III VerseWith its influx the peoples woke up, IV VerseLima fulfilled this solemn vow, V VerseCountrymen, may we see it a slave no more. VI (Former fifth verse)May we arouse the jealousy of Spain VII (Present Official sung verse)On its summits may the Andes sustain |
National Anthem of Peru in Quechua
There is also a Quechua version of the Peruvian National Anthem. Quechua is a Native South American language family spoken primarily in the Andes of South America, derived from a common ancestral language and is along with Spanish an official language in Peru. There is an estimated number of about 4 Million speakers in the country.