Els Segadors
"Els Segadors" is the official national anthem of Catalonia, nationality and autonomous community of Spain.
History
The original song dates in the oral tradition to 1640, based on the events of June 1640 known as Corpus de Sang during the Thirty Years' War between Spain, England, France and Austria, the event that started the Reapers' War or Guerra dels Segadors, also known as the Catalan Revolt or Catalan Revolution, where Catalans fought against the Count-Duke of Olivares, the chief minister of King Philip IV of Spain, and eventually led to an open war and the establishment of a Catalan Republic under French protection.The song describes the events, an uprising of peasants due to the large and burdensome presence of the Spanish Royal army in the Principality of Catalonia, as they were required to lodge and provision the troops, thus leading to a large tension and discomfort and the outbreak of episodes such as religious sacrileges, destruction of personal properties, and rape of women by the soldiers. The second part of the song tells the arrival of the rebel reapers in Barcelona, who kill various guards, the royal officers and the viceroy of Catalonia, Dalmau de Queralt, ending with the exhortation to Catalans to take the arms, as they are at war.
In the 19th century, the text was compiled in the Romancillero Catalán, a book of folk traditions written by Manuel Milà i Fontanals. The music was standardized by Francesc Alió in 1892. Its modern lyrics were written by Emili Guanyavents, who won a competition convened by the political party Unió Catalanista in 1899, simplifying the text to three verses. At the time, the change of lyrics caused some controversy among conservative elements, as Guanyavents, coming from sectors close to anarchism, gave them a revolutionary tone.
Throughout the first quarter of the 20th century, "Els Segadors" became one of the most relevant symbols of Catalanism and Catalonia itself, consolidating its popularity during the Second Spanish Republic and the Civil War. Despite an early attempt of the Generalitat de Catalunya in 1931 to replace it with another song, "El Cant del Poble", "Els Segadors" remained highly popular, assumed by both Catalan government and population as the de facto national anthem. The dictatorship of Francisco Franco banned the public use of Catalan national symbolism as part of the broad anti-Catalanist policies, among them "Els Segadors". Tolerated songs, such as the "Virolai" or "La Santa Espina", were often played in its place to express Catalan identity, generally in folkloric contexts. The death of the dictator and the transition towards a democratic system allowed its public use again.
After decades being use de facto, often alongside the "Cant de la Senyera", the Catalan government officially adopted "Els Segadors" as the national anthem of Catalonia on 25 February 1993, by law of the Catalan parliament. The official version was recorded in 1994. The new Statute of Autonomy of Catalonia of 2006 confirms this decision by its article 8.4, in which is explicitly defined as a national symbol of Catalonia, alongside the National Day and the flag.
Lyrics
Original lyrics: pre-1899
| Catalan original | English translation | Spanish translation |
Ah, happy Catalonia who has seen you rich and plentiful! Now the king our lord has declared war on us. II The great count of Olivar is always pestering his ear: "Now is the time, our king. now is the time to make war." III Against the Catalans see what they have done already: villages and places followed up to the place of Riudarenes, IV they have burned a church that was called Santa Coloma, they are burning white habits and chasubles the chalices and the patens. V And the Blessed Sacrament praise be to you forever. They killed a priest while Mass was being held. VI They killed a knight at the door of the church, Don Lluís de Furrià and the angels are making him a big feast. VII The bread that was not white they said was too black, they gave it to the horses only to ravage the earth. VIII The wine that was not good they turned on the taps, they threw it in the streets only to irrigate the land. IX In the presence of their parents they dishonoured the maidens. They gave part to the viceroy of the harm that those soldiers were doing: X "I gave them a license many more can be taken.” XI In view of all this the earth has shaken. They entered Barcelona a thousand strangers, XII they come in as reapers as we were in harvest time. Of three guards there the first has already died. XIII The viceroy was killed at the entrance to the galley. They killed the deputies and the judges of the Court. XIV They went to prison they are releasing the prisoners. The bishop blessed them with the right and left hand: XV "Where is your captain, where is your flag?" They took out the good Jesus all covered with a black veil: XVI "Here is our captain here is our flag. To arms, Catalans, they have declared war on you." |
Recordings and variations
An arrangement of "Els Segadors" appears on "Ballad of the Fallen" by Charlie Haden.Contemporary Catalan composer Jordi Savall made a version of the folk song, using the original narrative combined with the modern lyrics and refrain, which were added later. The song has also been recorded and interpreted by major artists, included on albums such as Traditional Catalan Songs.
In October 2017, in the aftermath of the Catalan independence referendum, the American band A Sound of Thunder released a heavy metal variation of the anthem, using a mix of English and Catalan lyrics.