WHEN Cristiano and Co line up to begin the defence of their Euros crown they will head into battle – with a familiar war cry.
Portugal’s national anthem – a marching song which was adopted by the country’s new Republic in 1911 – is not just an expression of pride.
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It is a call to arms, a notice of intent and a flexing of Portugal’s muscles as they prepare to honour the Homeland.
What are the lyrics to “A Portuguesa”?
Verse 1
Heróis
do mar, nobre povo,
Naçao valente, imortal,
Levantai hoje de novo
Os esplendor de Portugal
Entre as brumas da memória.
Ó Pátria sente-se a voz
Dos teus egrégios avós
Que há-de guiar-te à vitória.
Chorus:
Às armas! Às armas!
Sobre a terra, sobre o mar!
Às armas! Às armas!
Pela Pátria lutar!
Contra os canhões marchar, marchar!
Verse 2
Desfralda a invicta bandeira
À luz viva do teu céu
Brade à Europa à terra inteira
Portugal não pereceu!
Beija o solo teu jucundo
O oceano a rujir d’amor;
E o teu braço vencedor
Deu mundos novos ao mundo!
Chorus:
Às armas! Às armas!
Sobre a terra, sobre o mar!
Às armas! Às armas!
Pela Pátria lutar!
Contra os canhões marchar, marchar!
Verse 3
Saudai o sol que desponta
Sobre um ridente porvir;
Seja o eco d’uma afronta
O sinal de ressurgir.
Ráios d’essa aurora forte
São como beijos de mãe
Que nos guardam, nos sustêm,
Contra as injúrias da sorte
Chorus:
Às armas! Às armas!
Sobre a terra, sobre o mar!
Às armas! Às armas!
Pela Pátria lutar!
Contra os canhões marchar, marchar!
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What are the lyrics in English
Verse 1
Heroes of the sea, noble race,
Valiant and immortal nation,
Rise up once again
The splendor of Portugal.
Out of the mists of memory,
Oh Homeland, we hear the voices
Of your great forefathers
That shall lead you on to victory!
Chorus:
To arms, to arms
On land and sea!
To arms, to arms
To fight for our Homeland!
To march against the enemy guns!
Verse 2
Unfurl the unconquerable flag
In the bright light of your sky!
Cry out all Europe and the world
That Portugal has not perished.
Your happy land is kissed
By the Ocean that murmurs with love.
And your conquering arm
Has given new worlds to the world!
Chorus:
To arms, to arms
On land and sea!
To arms, to arms
To fight for our Homeland!
To march against the enemy guns!
Verse 3
Salute the Sun that rises
On a smiling future:
Let the echo of an insult be
The signal for our revival.
The rays of that powerful dawn
Are like a mother’s kisses
That protect us and support us
Against the insults of fate.
Chorus:
To arms, to arms
On land and sea!
To arms, to arms
To fight for our Homeland!
To march against the enemy guns!
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
