World Cup 2010 National Anthems: Argentina, Greece, Nigeria, South Korea

March 24th, 2010 | by: Daryl | View Comments

Before every international football match, the national anthems of the two competing teams are played. It’s all about tradition and patriotism, and it’s one of my favourite ceremonial things about the World Cup. We’re writing about the national anthems of the 32 team at World Cup 2010 four at a time, group by group. Last week we did Group A. So this week it’s Group B: Argentina, Greece, Nigeria and South Korea.

Click below to see and hear the anthems, including a surprisingly moving rendition of the Nigerian national anthem by a former member of Destiny’s Child.

National Anthem of Argentina

(with both subtitles and sign language, which I think is a nice touch)

The original version of “Himno Nacional Argentino” (National Anthem of Argentina) contained several vehemently anti-Spanish verses. Understandable, as it was written soon after the May Revolution of 1810, in which Argentina liberated itself from Spain. However, in the 20th Century, with the revolution in the rear view mirror and many Spanish people living peacefully in Argentina, the anti-Spanish verses were ditched, leaving a song mostly about liberty.

Lyrics to the the Argentinean national anthem, in English:

Hear, mortals, the sacred cry:
“Freedom! Freedom! Freedom!”
Hear the noise of broken chains,
see the noble Equality enthroned.
Their most honorable throne have opened
the United Provinces of the South.
And the free ones of the world reply:
“To the Argentine people, cheers! (¡Salud!)”
“To the Argentine people, cheers!”
And the free ones of the world reply:
“To the Argentine people, cheers!”
And the free ones of the world reply:
“To the Argentine people, cheers!”

May the laurels be eternal
the ones we managed to win,
the ones we managed to win.
Let us live crowned in glory…
or let us swear in glory to die!
Or let us swear in glory to die!
Or let us swear in glory to die!

National Anthem of Greece

(choral version from the opening ceremony of the 2004 Olympics)

The lyrics to the Greek national anthem are taken from the rather long poem “Hymn to Liberty” by Dionysios Solomos. The first two stanzas of Solomos’ poem were set to music by Nikolaos Mantzaros and adopted as first the Greek Royal anthem in 1864 and then the national anthem in 1865. The musical version sounds somewhat waltzy jolly (I think I suggested you could dance to in our World Cup Group B podcast preview) but the lyrics (below) are both poetic (obviously) and terrifying. Compare the above choral version with the instrumental version below:

Lyrics to the Greek national anthem, in English:

I know it’s you from the edge
of the sword, the terrible one
I recognize you from the look
which with hardness surveys the land

drawn from the bones
of the Greeks, the sacred ones
and, valiant as first
hail, o hail, Liberty!

National Anthem of Nigeria

“Arise, O Compatriots” has been the national anthem of Nigeria since 1978, when it replaced “Nigeria We Hail Thee”. A national competition was held, with elements of the five best entries being incorporated into the final song and then set to music. The above recording sounds a little old fashioned, so here’s Beyonce performing the anthem for an appreciative crowd in Lagos:

Lyrics to the Nigerian national anthen:

Arise, O compatriots,
Nigeria’s call obey
To serve our Fatherland
With love and strength and faith.
The labour of our heroes past
Shall never be in vain,
To serve with heart and might
One nation bound in freedom, peace and unity.
O God of creation,
Direct our noble cause;
Guide our Leaders right:
Help our Youth the truth to know,
In love and honesty to grow,
And living just and true,
Great lofty heights attain,
To build a nation where peace and justice shall reign.

National Anthem of the Republic of Korea

South Korea’s national anthem is known as “Aegukga”, or “The Patriotic Song”. North Korea’s national anthem is also known as “Aegukga”, but is actually completely different.

Lyrics to the Republic of Korea’s national anthem, in English, are:

Until the day when the East Sea’s waters and Mt. Baekdu are dry and worn away,
god protect and preserve our nation.

With this spirit and this mind, give all loyalty,
in suffering or in joy, love the country.

More World Cup 2010 national anthems here.