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11 Songs of the Spanish Civil War (1936-39)

Translator: Eduardo Freire Canosa
(University of Toronto Alumnus)
E-mail: [email protected]

I grant the translations herein to the public domain

Republican

1. Sons of the People

2. The Internationale (Spanish version)

3. Riego's Anthem

4. Long Live the Fifth Regiment

5. If You Want To Write To Me

6. The Crossing of the Ebro River

7. Anthem of the International Brigades

Nationalist

8. Song of the Legionnaire

9. Death's Fianc�

10. Oriamendi

11. With the Sun On My Face

1. The Anarchists

Sons of the People

Hijo del pueblo: Te oprimen cadenas
y esa injusticia no puede seguir.
Si tu existencia es un mundo de penas
antes que esclavo prefiere morir.
En la batalla la hiena fascista
por nuestro esfuerzo sucumbir�
y el pueblo entero con los anarquistas
har� que triunfe la libertad.

Trabajador: No m�s sufrir,
el opresor ha de sucumbir.
Lev�ntate, pueblo leal,
al grito de �Revoluci�n social!
Pueblo e ideal de f� y acci�n
Solo unir� la revoluci�n.
Lejos de cual, tuyo ha de ser
s�lo el adi�s—honor—vencer.

Son of the people: Chains oppress you
And that injustice can not go on.
If your existence is a world of sorrows
Rather than a slave prefer to die.
The fascist hyena will by our effort
Perish in the battle
And the entire people with the anarchists
Will make freedom triumph.

Worker: Suffer no more,
The oppressor will perish.
Rise up, steadfast people,
To the shout of "Social revolution!"
The revolution alone will unite
A people and an ideal of faith and action.
Far from whom yours must be
Only the farewell—honour—to win.

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2. The Communists

The Internationale (Spanish version)

Arriba, parias de la Tierra.
En pie, fam�lica legi�n.
Atruena la raz�n en marcha,
es el fin de la opresi�n.

Del pasado hay que hacer a�icos,
legi�n esclava en pie a vencer,
el mundo va a cambiar de base,
los nada de hoy todo han de ser.

Agrup�monos todos,
en la lucha final.
El g�nero humano
es La Internacional. (bis)

Ni en dioses, reyes ni tribunos,
est� el supremo salvador.
Nosotros mismos realicemos
el esfuerzo redentor.

Para hacer que el tirano caiga
y al mundo siervo liberar,
soplemos la potente fragua
que al hombre nuevo ha de forjar.

Agrup�monos todos,
en la lucha final.
El g�nero humano
es La Internacional. (bis)

La ley nos burla y el Estado
oprime y sangra al productor.
Nos da derechos irrisorios,
no hay deberes del se�or.

Basta ya de tutela odiosa,
que la igualdad ley ha de ser,
no m�s deberes sin derechos,
ning�n derecho sin deber.

Agrup�monos todos,
en la lucha final.
El g�nero humano
es La Internacional. (bis)

Stand up, pariahs of Earth.
On your feet, starving legion.
Reason thunders on the march,
It is the end of oppression.

Legion of slaves risen up to win:
The past must be smashed to shards.
The world's foundations are going to shift,
Today's despised ones all-important shall be.

Let us join together
In the final struggle.
Mankind is
The Internationale. (twice)

Neither in gods, kings nor tribunes
Is the supreme saviour.
Let us take up ourselves
The effort at redemption.

To make the tyrant fall
And to set the serf world free
Let us fan the powerful forge
That will fashion the new man.

Let us join together
In the final struggle.
Mankind is
The Internationale. (twice)

The law mocks us and the State
Oppresses and bleeds the producer.
It gives us farcical rights,
There are no duties for the gentleman.

Enough of loathsome tutoring
For equality shall be the law,
No more duties without rights,
No right without an obligation.

Let us join together
In the final struggle.
Mankind is
The Internationale. (twice)

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3. The Republicans

Riego's Anthem

Serenos y alegres, valientes y osados,
Cantemos, soldados, el himno a la lid.
De nuestros acentos el orbe se admire
Y en nosotros mire los hijos del Cid.

Soldados, la patria nos llama a la lid.
Juremos por ella vencer o morir.

El mundo vio nunca, m�s noble osad�a,
Ni vio nunca un d�a m�s grande el valor,
Que aquel, inflamados, nos vimos del fuego,
Excitar a Riego de Patria el amor.

Soldados, la patria nos llama a la lid.
Juremos por ella vencer o morir.

La trompa guerrera sus ecos al viento,
Horror al sediento, ya ruge el ca��n.
A Marte sa�udo la audacia provoca
Y el ingenio invoca de nuestra naci�n.

Soldados, la patria nos llama a la lid.
Juremos por ella vencer o morir.

Serene and cheerful, brave and daring,
Let us sing, soldiers, the anthem to combat.
May the world admire our cadence
And perceive in us the sons of El Cid.

Soldiers, the homeland summons us to the fight.
Let us swear to win or to die for her.

The world never saw more noble boldness
Nor one day ever saw greater valour
Than that which, inflamed, we saw in the line of fire
Excite in Riego the love of the fatherland.

Soldiers, the homeland summons us to the fight.
Let us swear to win or to die for her.

The war-horn's echoes in the wind—
Horror to the thirsty—the cannon roars already
And incites enraged Mars to boldness
And appeals to the genius of our nation.

Soldiers, the homeland summons us to the fight.
Let us swear to win or to die for her.

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4. The Popular Army (1/2)

Long Live the Fifth Regiment

El dieciocho de julio en el patio de un convento
el pueblo madrile�o fund� el quinto regimiento.

Anda jaleo, jaleo, ya se acab� el alboroto,
y vamos al tiroteo, y vamos al tiroteo.

Con Lister y Campesino, con Gal�n y con Modesto,
con el comandante Carlos no hay miliciano con miedo.

Anda jaleo, jaleo, ya se acab� el alboroto,
y vamos al tiroteo, y vamos al tiroteo.

Con los cuatro batallones que a Madrid est�n defendiendo
se va lo mejor de Espa�a, la flor m�s roja del pueblo.

Anda jaleo, jaleo, ya se acab� el alboroto,
y vamos al tiroteo, y vamos al tiroteo.

Con el quinto, quinto, quinto, con el quinto regimiento,
madre, yo me voy al frente para las l�neas de fuego.

Anda jaleo, jaleo, ya se acab� el alboroto,
y vamos al tiroteo, y vamos al tiroteo.

On July the eighteenth in the yard of a convent
The people of Madrid founded the Fifth Regiment.

There is trouble, trouble, the shouting is over
And we're going to a gunfight and we're going to a gunfight.

With Lister and Campesino, with Gal�n and with Modesto,
With Commander Carlos no militia man is afraid.

There is trouble, trouble, the shouting is over
And we're going to a gunfight and we're going to a gunfight.

With the four battalions that are defending Madrid
Goes the best of Spain, the reddest flower of the people.

There is trouble, trouble, the shouting is over
And we're going to a gunfight and we're going to a gunfight.

With the Fifth Fifth Fifth, with the Fifth Regiment
I am going, Mother, to the front and to the lines of fire.

There is trouble, trouble, the shouting is over
And we're going to a gunfight and we're going to a gunfight.

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5. The Popular Army (2/2)

If You Want To Write To Me

Si me quieres escribir ya sabes mi paradero: (bis)
Tercera Brigada Mixta, primera l�nea de fuego. (bis)

Aunque me tiren el puente y tambi�n la pasarela, (bis)
me ver�s pasar el Ebro en un barquito de vela. (bis)

Diez mil veces que los tiren, diez mil veces los haremos. (bis)
Tenemos cabeza dura los del Cuerpo de Ingenieros. (bis)

Si me quieres escribir ya sabes mi paradero: (bis)
Tercera Brigada Mixta, primera l�nea de fuego. (bis)

If you want to write to me you already know my address: (twice)
Third Mixed Brigade, first line of fire. (twice)

Although they take down the bridge and the pontoon bridge also, (twice)
You will see me cross the Ebro River in a small sailing boat. (twice)

Ten thousand times they wreck them, ten thousand times we'll build them. (twice)
We of the Corps of Engineers are strongheaded. (twice)

If you want to write to me you already know my address: (twice)
Third Mixed Brigade, first line of fire. (twice)

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6. The Battle of the Ebro River

The Crossing of the Ebro River

El Ej�rcito del Ebro, rumba la rumba la rumba ba, (bis)
una noche el r�o pas� �ay Carmela! �ay Carmela! (bis)

Y a las tropas invasoras, rumba la rumba la rumba ba, (bis)
buena paliza les di� �ay Carmela! �ay Carmela! (bis)

El furor de los traidores, rumba la rumba la rumba ba, (bis)
lo descarga su aviaci�n �ay Carmela! �ay Carmela! (bis)

Pero nada pueden bombas, rumba la rumba la rumba ba, (bis)
donde sobra coraz�n �ay Carmela! �ay Carmela! (bis)

Contraataques muy rabiosos, rumba la rumba la rumba ba, (bis)
deberemos resistir �ay Carmela! �ay Carmela! (bis)

Pero igual que combatimos, rumba la rumba la rumba ba, (bis)
prometemos combatir �ay Carmela! �ay Carmela! (bis)

The Army of the Ebro, roombah la roombah la roombah bah, (twice)
Crossed the river one night, aye Carmela! aye Carmela! (twice)

And gave a sound thrashing, roombah la roombah la roombah bah, (twice)
To the invading troops, aye Carmela! aye Carmela! (twice)

The fury of the traitors, roombah la roombah la roombah bah, (twice)
Is delivered by their air force, aye Carmela! aye Carmela! (twice)

But bombs can do nothing, roombah la roombah la roombah bah, (twice)
Where there is plenty of heart, aye Carmela! aye Carmela! (twice)

We will have to resist, roombah la roombah la roombah bah, (twice)
Very rabid counterattacks, aye Carmela! aye Carmela! (twice)

But just as we have fought, roombah la roombah la roombah bah, (twice)
We promise to keep fighting, aye Carmela! aye Carmela! (twice)

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7. The International Brigades

Anthem of the International Brigades

Pa�s lejano nos ha visto nacer,
De odio llena el alma hemos tra�do,
mas la patria no la hemos ofendido,
nuestra patria est� hoy ante Madrid,
mas la patria no la hemos ofendido,
nuestra patria est� hoy ante Madrid.

Camaradas, cubrid los parapetos
que la vida no es vida sin la paz.
Defended con el pecho vuestros hijos,
os ayuda la solidaridad;
defended con el pecho vuestros hijos,
os ayuda la solidaridad.

Libre Espa�a de castas opresoras,
nuevo ritmo el alma batir�,
morir�n los fascismos sangrientos,
en Espa�a habr� ya felicidad;
morir�n los fascismos sangrientos,
en Espa�a habr� ya felicidad.

Generales traidores a su patria
del fascismo quieren saciar la sed;
mas los pueblos del mundo defendemos
lo que Espa�a jam�s ha de perder;
mas los pueblos del mundo defendemos
lo que Espa�a jam�s ha de perder.

A faraway country has seen our birth,
We have brought our soul full of hatred,
But we have not offended the homeland,
Our homeland is today before Madrid—
But we have not offended the homeland,
Our homeland is today before Madrid,

Comrades, defend the ramparts
For life is not life without peace.
Defend your children with your chest,
Solidarity aids you—
Defend your children with your chest,
Solidarity aids you.

Freed Spain from oppressive castes,
The soul will beat with new rhythm,
The bloody fascisms will perish,
Then there will be happiness in Spain—
The bloody fascisms will perish,
Then there will be happiness in Spain.

Generals betrayers of their homeland
Wish to quench fascism's thirst,
But we the peoples of the world defend
What Spain will never lose—
But we the peoples of the world defend
What Spain will never lose.

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8. The Army of Africa (1/2)

Song of the Legionnaire

Soy valiente y leal legionario,
soy soldado de brava legi�n,
pesa en mi alma doliente calvario
que en el fuego busca redenci�n.
Mi divisa no conoce el miedo,
mi destino tan s�lo es sufrir,
mi bandera luchar con denuedo
hasta conseguir vencer o morir.

Legionario, legionario
que te entregas a luchar
y al azar dejas tu suerte,
pues tu vida es un azar,
Legionario, legionario
de bravura sin igual,
si en la guerra hallas la muerte
tendr�s siempre por sudario,
Legionario, la bandera nacional.

�Legionarios a luchar, legionarios a morir!

Somos h�roes inc�gnitos todos,
nadie aspire a saber qui�n soy yo;
mil tragedias, de diversos modos,
que el correr de la vida form�.
Cada uno ser� lo que quiera,
nada importa su vida anterior,
pero juntos formamos Bandera
que da a la Legi�n el m�s alto honor.

�Legionarios a luchar, legionarios a morir!

I am a valiant and loyal legionnaire,
I am a soldier of brave legion,
Aching calvary weighs down on my soul
Which in the fire of battle seeks redemption.
My motto knows no fear,
My destiny is but to suffer,
My flag to fight with resolve
Until attaining to win or to die.

Legionnaire, legionnaire,
Who give your all in the fight
And to chance leave your fate—
For your life is a game of chance—
Legionnaire, legionnaire
Of bravery without match:
If you should perish in war
You shall have for shroud always,
Legionnaire, the national flag.

To fight, legionnaires! To die, legionnaires!

We are anonymous heroes everyone,
Let no one pretend to know who I am:
A thousand tragedies of diverse sort
That the course of life did mold.
Each one will be what he desires,
His former life matters naught,
But together we constitute standard
That gives the Legion its highest honour.

To fight, legionnaires! To die, legionnaires!

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9. The Army of Africa (2/2)

Death's Fianc�

Nadie en el Tercio sab�a
qui�n era aquel legionario
tan audaz y temerario
que a la Legi�n se alist�.

Nadie sab�a su historia,
m�s la Legi�n presum�a
que un gran dolor le mord�a
como un lobo el coraz�n.

Y si alguno qui�n era le preguntaba,
con dolor y rudeza le contestaba:

Soy un hombre a quien la suerte
hiri� con zarpa de fiera;
soy un novio de la muerte
que va a unirse en lazo fuerte
con tan leal compa�era.

Cuando m�s recio era el fuego
y la pelea m�s fiera,
defendiendo su Bandera
el legionario avanz�.

Y sin temer al empuje
del enemigo exaltado,
supo morir como un bravo
y la ense�a rescat�.

Y al regar con su sangre la tierra ardiente,
murmur� el legionario con voz doliente:

Soy un hombre a quien la suerte
hiri� con zarpa de fiera;
soy un novio de la muerte
que va a unirse en lazo fuerte
con tan leal compa�era.

Cuando al fin le recogieron,
entre su pecho encontraron
una carta y un retrato
de una divina mujer.

Y aquella carta dec�a:
"...si Dios un d�a te llama,
para m� un puesto reclama
que a buscarte pronto ir�".

Y en el �ltimo beso que la enviaba
su postrer despedida le consagraba.

Por ir a tu lado a verte,
mi m�s leal compa�era,
me hice novio de la muerte,
la estrech� con lazo fuerte
y su amor fue mi �Bandera!

No one in the Tercio knew
Who was that legionnaire—
So bold and reckless—
That enlisted in the Legion.

No one knew his story
But the Legion presumed
That a great pain gnawed at
His heart like a wolf.

And if someone asked him who he was
He replied with pain and rudeness,

"I am a man whom fate
Injured as with a wild beast's paw;
I am a fianc� of death
Who goes to bind himself in secure bow
With so faithful a female companion."

When the firefight was heaviest
And the combat fiercest,
The legionnaire advanced
Protecting his unit.

And without fearing the thrust
Of the impassioned enemy
He knew how to die like a brave one
And the ensign he rescued.

And as he doused the hot earth with his blood
The legionnaire murmured in a pained voice,

"I am a man whom fate
Injured as with a wild beast's paw;
I am a fianc� of death
Who goes to bind himself in secure bow
With so faithful a female companion."

When at last they recovered his body
They found on his chest
A letter and a portrait
Of a divine woman.

And that letter read,
"If God one day calls you
Reserve a place for me
For I will soon go to find you."

And in the last kiss he sent her
He anointed his final farewell.

To go see you and be beside you,
My most faithful female companion,
I became a fianc� of death,
I embraced her with secure bow
And her love was my standard!

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10. The Carlists

Oriamendi

Por Dios, por la patria y el Rey
Lucharon nuestros padres.
Por Dios, por la patria y el Rey
Lucharemos nosotros tambi�n.

Lucharemos todos juntos,
Todos juntos en uni�n,
Defendiendo la bandera
De la Santa Tradici�n. (bis)

Cueste lo que cueste
Se ha de conseguir
Que los boinas rojas
Entren en Madrid.

Por Dios, por la patria y el Rey
Lucharon nuestros padres.
Por Dios, por la patria y el Rey
Lucharemos nosotros tambi�n.

For God, country and the King
Did our parents fight.
For God, country and the King
We too shall fight.

We will fight all together,
All together united,
Defending the flag
Of the Holy Tradition. (twice)

Cost what it may
It will be accomplished:
That the red berets
Enter Madrid.

For God, country and the King
Did our parents fight.
For God, country and the King
We too shall fight.

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11. The Falangists

With the Sun On My Face

Cara al sol con la camisa nueva
que t� bordaste en rojo ayer,
me hallar� la muerte si me lleva
y no te vuelvo a ver.

Formar� junto a mis compa�eros
que hacen guardia sobre los luceros,
impasible el adem�n,
y est�n
Presentes en nuestro af�n.

Si te dicen que ca�,
me fu�
al puesto que tengo all�.

Volver�n banderas victoriosas
al paso alegre de la paz
y traer�n prendidas cinco rosas:
las flechas de mi haz.

Volver� a re�r la primavera,
que por cielo, tierra y mar se espera.

Arriba escuadras a vencer
que en Espa�a empieza a amanecer.

With the sun on my face and the new shirt
You embroidered crimson yesterday
Death will find me if it carries me away
And I won't see you again.

I'll be in formation with my comrades
Who stand watch above the lights of heaven—
Their demeanour unperturbed—
And are
Present in our zeal.

If they tell you that I fell
I went
To the post that I have there.

There shall return flags victorious
To the light-hearted step of peace
And they will bring pinned five roses,
Arrows of my bundle.

There shall laugh again the springtime
Awaited in the sky, on land and sea.

Arise, squadrons, to win
For it starts to dawn over Spain.

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In Spanish: Los Canadienses (Batall�n Mackenzie-Papineau)

In Galician: A Canci�n Favorita de Stalin

Diary of a Marked Man

When I Was a Child in Ferrol, Spain (1953-65)

The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse

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