The National Anthem of Costa Rica

Lyrics: Jose Maria Zeledon

Music: Manuel Maria Gutierrez

Adopted in 1903

Composed and adopted in 1852

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.

¡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 oh Patria tú pródigo suelo,

dulce abrigo y sustento nos da;

bajo el límpido azul de tu cielo

¡vivan siempre el trabajo y la paz!

To hear click here:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AM5FTFU6S8M&feature=related

The music for the National Anthem of Costa Rica was created during the government of Juan Rafael Mora, in 1852. The President of the Republic asked Manuel Maria Gutierrez to compose the music within three days. A competition was held in 1903 to choose the lyrics. The prize was won by Jose Maria Billo Zeledon, and since then these Lyrics have been the only ones sung as the National Anthem of Costa Rica. The lyrics where declared official on the 10th of June, 1949.