Hinmo de Cuba - La Bayamesa (Versión de 1868)

The song 'Himno de Cuba - La Bayamesa (Versión de 1868)' performed by 'Hinos de Países' is a historic Cuban anthem that encapsulates the spirit of the struggle for independence from Spanish rule. The lyrics serve as a battle cry, urging the people of Bayamo, a city in eastern Cuba, to take up arms and fight for their freedom. The repeated exhortation '¡Al combate corred, Bayameses!' translates to 'To battle, run, people of Bayamo!' and reflects the urgency and importance of the fight for liberation.

The anthem emphasizes the honor in dying for one's country, suggesting that such a sacrifice is equivalent to living eternally. The phrase 'Que morir por la patria es vivir' means 'To die for the homeland is to live,' highlighting the patriotic sentiment that death in battle is preferable to living in chains and disgrace. The song also conveys a message of confidence in the Cuban people's ability to overcome their oppressors, referring to the Spanish as 'feroces iberos' (fierce Iberians) but also as cowards who cannot withstand the Cuban fighters.

The latter part of the anthem celebrates the triumph of the Cuban forces and the fall of Spanish power, with the declaration '¡Cuba libre! Ya España murió' translating to 'Free Cuba! Now Spain is dead.' The call to arms is reinforced by the sound of the bugle, which symbolizes the call to battle and the readiness to fight for freedom. The anthem is not only a historical artifact but also a testament to the enduring spirit of the Cuban people and their desire for sovereignty and self-determination.