"" (; "The Great Charlemagne") is the national anthem of the Principality of Andorra. Enric Marfany Bons composed the music, while the lyrics were authored by Joan Benlloch i Vivó, written in a first-person narrative from the point of view of Andorra. It was adopted as the national anthem on 8 September 1921, which is also the national day of Andorra. The lyrics make reference to several key aspects of Andorran culture and history, such as the heritage of the Carolingian Empire.

History

"El Gran Carlemany" was composed by Enric Marfany Bons (1871–1942), who was a priest. The lyrics to the song were penned by Juan Benlloch i Vivó (1864–1926), who served as the Bishop of Urgell from 1906 to 1919. This position also made him an ex officio Co–Prince of Andorra. The song was officially designated as the country's national anthem on 8 September 1921, when it was sung at the country's cathedral for the first time. The day it was adopted – 8 September and 790, after the Catalan people had guided his army through the rugged valleys, which Charlemagne compensated with granting Andorra its independence, and its first borders were delineated that same year. According to legend, he was responsible for restructuring the country, reintroducing Christianity to its people and overseeing the construction of monasteries. Because of these accomplishments, he was given "a mythical aura" and is regarded as the founder of Andorra.

The hymn begins with "" ("Great Charlemagne my father") and memorialises this view and celebrates the country's status as "the only remaining daughter of the Carolingian empire", since it is the only remnant of the Marca Hispanica.

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!Spanish translation

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!English translation

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|<poem>The great Charlemagne, my father,

liberated me from the Saracens,

and from heaven he gave me life

of Meritxell, the great Mother.

I was born a princess and heiress

between two nations, neutral;

I am the only remaining daughter

of the Carolingian empire.

Faithful and free for eleven centuries,

Faithful and free I want to be.

May the laws be my tutors

𝄆 and my Princes defenders! 𝄇</poem>

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Notes

References

  • Recording by the New Japan Philharmonic (former linked source stale.)