National Anthem of Los Liberados
Libre (Free), is the National Anthem of Los Liberados. It was derived from a a popular song which originated during the time of the occupation. The anthem is an ode to freedom, and the struggle of the people of Los Liberados to throw off the tyrannical yoke of the Jingdaoese government.
Libre was popularised by local artist Nino Bravo around 1655, who intended it to be a critical song towards the restrictive authorities. In the 60's it was picked up by the liberation movement within the nation. Following the liberación, and the first non-Jingdaoese governorship of the Iron Company, during which time liberal reforms were made with regard to the economy, movement of people and individual human rights, the song gained a semi-official status. After the formal independence of Los Liberados in 1669, the President of the Republic, Jacobo Castrigo Álvarez declared Libre the national anthem of the nation.
The song has an important place in Liberadosan culture and is used by the government to consolidate the Liberadosan identity. From a young age, children learn to sing it at schools, and every morning the anthem is played on the public radio and television stations. An illustration of the importance of the song in Los Liberados is the existence of Dia de Libre, an official holiday. During this day, Liberadosans gather at public places and, at exactly 12:12 CMT, they sing the anthem to show the unity and dedication of the people to the goal of liberty. This is usually accompanied by larger celebrations and parties with plenty of spicy chicken and Liberadosan Rum.
Original Lyrics
Tiene casi veinte años y ya está
cansado de soñar,
pero tras la frontera está su hogar,
su mundo y su ciudad.
Piensa que la alambrada sólo es
un trozo de metal,
algo que nunca puede detener
sus ansias de volar.
Libre, como el sol cuando amanece,
yo soy libre, como el mar.
Libre, como el ave que escapó de su prisión
y puede, al fin, volar.
Libre, como el viento que recoge mi lamento y mi pesar,
camino sin cesar detrás de la verdad
y sabré lo que es al fin, la libertad.
Con su amor por bandera se marchó
cantando una canción,
marchaba tan feliz que no escuchó
la voz que le llamó,
y tendido en el suelo se quedó
sonriendo y sin hablar;
sobre su pecho flores carmesí,
brotaban sin cesar...
(Chorus)
