SPANISH LYRICS

Noble patria tu hermosa bandera
Expresión de tu vida nos da:
Bajo el límpido 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,
Verás a tu pueblo, valiente y viril
La tosca herramienta en arma trocar.
¡Salve patria! tu pródigo suelo
Dulce abrigo y sustento nos da;
Bajo el límpido azul de tu cielo
¡Vivan siempre el trabajo y la paz!

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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.


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Costa Rica

Words by:José María Zeledón Brenes
Music by:Manuel María Gutiérrez
Adopted:1949 (music in use since 1852, lyrics in use since 1903)

In 1852, Costa Rica did not have a national anthem. However, when the United
States and the United Kingdom accredited their diplomatic representatives in
Costa Rica, the president wanted to host a welcome ceremony for the missions. A
decision was made that a national anthem for Costa Rica should be composed for
the occassion, and the president requested Mr. Manuel María Gutiérrez, Director
of the Costa Rican National Army Orchestra, to compose the music and it was
first performed for the occassion on June 11 of that year.

In 1903, a contest was held for composing the lyrics to the anthem, which was
won by José María Zeledón Brenes. Despite having the words and anthem
officially composed and in common use, they were not declared as the official
national anthem until 1949.
