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Spanish Lyrics
Noble patria tu hermosa bandera
Expresion de tu vida nos da:
Bajo el la�mpido azul de tu cielo
Blanca y pura descansa la paz.
En la lucha tenaz de fecunda labor
Que enrojece del hombre la faz,
Conquistaron tus hijos, labriegos sencillos,
Eterno prestigio, estima y honor,
eterno prestigio, estima y honor.
�Salve oh tierra gentil!
�Salve oh madre de amor!
Cuando alguno pretenda tu gloria manchar,
Veras a tu pueblo, valiente y viril
La tosca herramienta en arma trocar.
�Salve patria! tu prodigo suelo
Dulce abrigo y sustento nos da;
Bajo el la�mpido azul de tu cielo
�Vivan siempre el trabajo y la paz!
English Translation
Noble homeland, your beautiful flag
Express for us your life:
Under the limpid blue of your skies,
Peace reigns, white and pure.
In the tenacious battle of fruitful toil,
That brings a glow to men's faces,
Your sons, simple farm hands,
Gained eternal renown, esteem and honour,
Gained eternal renown, esteem and honour.
Hail, gentle country!
Hail, loving mother!
If anyone should attempt to besmirch your glory,
You will see your people, valiant and virile,
Exchange their rustic tools for weapons.
Hail, O homeland! Your prodigal soil
Gives us sweet sustenance and shelter.
Under the limpid blue of your sky,
May peaceful labour ever continue.
The music and its meaning
In 1852, the governments of the United States and the United Kingdom accredited, for the first time, their diplomatic representatives in Costa Rica. The Honorable President Juan Rafael Mora wanted to host a welcome ceremony for the two missions. Since Costa Rica did not have a National Anthem at that time, President Juan Rafael Mora requested Mr. Manuel Mari�a Gutierrez, Director of the Costa Rican National Army Orchestra, to compose the music of the National Anthem to be performed at the welcome ceremony.
The music of the National Anthem was first played at the Presidential Palace (Casa de Gobierno) on June 11, 1852 at 12m.
The music does not have a military connotation since it was composed to welcome two diplomatic missions. Instead, the music evokes an act of union, solidarity, and peaceful agreements among nations. It conveys a patriotic feeling through which the country shows its identity and peaceful nature.
The words and its meaning
In 1903 there was a public contest for all Costa Rican citizens who wanted to write the National Anthem. Mr. Jose Mari�a Zeledon won that contest and wrote the words of the National Anthem. The National Anthem was sung and played for the first time on September 15, 1903.
In 1949 those words and music became the official National Anthem.
The words address the "campesinos" -farm workers- of the early 20th Century who laid the foundation of Costa Rica's democracy and development. They lived in the countryside, cultivated crops, raised horses and cattle. The greatness of "campesinos" was not based on their possessions, but on the way they handled daily matters and conducted themselves. The blue sky and the fields were enough to find meaning in their lives. The hopes and dreams of Costa Rican people of that time depended on not only the future, strengthened by the efforts and success of the present, but also on the preservation of the traditions passed through generations.
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General Information 
