This week we put the spotlight on Chile! When I lived in Venezuela, my best friend was a Chilean kid named Mauricio Muñoz. Que fue, hermanazo! Chile's National Anthem titled Himno Nacional Chileno, and also referred to as Cancion Nacional, has one of the more interesting stories I've encountered. Turns out, Chile has had two National Anthems.
"The National Anthem of Chile (Spanish: Himno Nacional de Chile) is also known as Canción Nacional (National Song). It has a history of two lyrics and two melodies that made up three different versions."
How's that for scandalous?
The version used today was composed by Ramón Carnicer, with lyrics by Eusebio Lillo. I recommend you read the wikipedia entry on Cancion Nacional. There's a whole thing about Pinochet re-instating a third Verse because it exalted the armed forces.
Last Thursday, we played our last show of the year at The Bowery Electric. It was a fucking blast; definitely, the way to end 2011. Not only did Hecho en Brooklyn, The Walnuts and Mama's Dirty Lil' Secret rock the Hell out of that stage, not only was the crowd aching to have a wild time, but we showcased two never-before heard songs. Our new, and as of yet untitled, composition, and Imagine in honor of John Lennon's death. The new song was one of the favorites of the night; plus, everyone sang along to Imagine. We did La Araña as an encore and three hot ladies came on stage to dance with us. Gracias, preciosuras!
Go to Feast of Music, to read our new friend, Sky Disco's take on that wonderfully sexy night. Eres lo maximo, Sky!
A big thank you to Nick Schupak from Citizen Music and talent buyer for The Bowery Electric. More thank-yous to all of you for making 2011 a great year for New Madrid. Coming up in 2012 a new single followed by a new EP and so much more.
Continuamos con el National Anthem Project; we're powering through. The idea is to showcase all Latin American National Anthems, while having the most fun. We've only just scratched the surface; nos faltan Paraguay, Bolivia, Chile, plus all Central America and Mexico.
Hoy, nos dedicamos a Peru. Un abrazo a nuestros hermanos Peruanos! I love this National Anthem, and I love the version I found on You Tube. It's called Marcha Nacional Peruana with lyrics by Jose de la Torre Ugarte and music by Jose Bernardo Alcedo. I keep replaying it as I type. Enjoy!
Marcha Nacional Peruana
Coro
Somos libres
seámoslo siempre, seámoslo siempre
y antes niegue sus luces
sus luces, sus luces el Sol!
Que faltemos al voto solemne
que la patria al Eterno elevó,
Que faltemos al voto solemne
que la patria al Eterno elevó.
Que faltemos al voto solemne
que la patria al Eterno elevo.
I
Largo tiempo el peruano oprimido
la ominosa cadena arrastró
condenado a una cruel servidumbre
largo tiempo, largo tiempo,
largo tiempo en silencio gimió.
Mas apenas el grito sagrado
¡Libertad! en sus costas se oyó
la indolencia del esclavo sacude
la humillada, la humillada,
la humillada cerviz levantó,
la humillada cerviz levantó, cerviz levantó...
Coro
II
Y al estruendo de broncas cadenas
que escuchamos tres siglos de horror,
de los libres al grito sagrado
que oyó atónito el mundo, cesó.
Por doquier San Martín inflamado,
libertad, libertad, pronunció,
y meciendo su base los Andes
la anunciaron, también, a una voz.
III
Con su influjo los pueblos despiertan
y cual rayo corrió la opinión;
desde el istmo a las tierras del fuego,
desde el fuego a la helada región.
Todos juran romper el enlace
que Natura a ambos mundos negó,
y quebrar ese cetro que España
reclinaba orgullosa en los dos.
IV
Lima cumple ese voto solemne,
y, severa, su enojo mostró,
al tirano impotente lanzando,
que intentaba alargar su opresión.
A su esfuerzo saltaron los grillos
y los surcos que en sí reparó,
le atizaron el odio y venganza
que heredara de su Inca y Señor.
V
Compatriotas, no más verla esclava.
Si humillada tres siglos gimió,
para siempre jurémosla libre,
manteniendo su propio esplendor.
Nuestros brazos, hasta hoy desarmados
estén siempre cebando el cañón,
que algún día las playas de Iberia
sentirán de su estruendo el terror.
The New Madrid Blog is back! We apologize for the absence; minor computer problems, you know. Here are some news:
We're playing our last show of the year this Thursday, December 8th at The Bowery Electric. We go on at 10, but come early and hang out; we miss you all. Recording for our new single is moving swiftly, just a couple of more sessions, and you'll have a new New Madrid song that'll make you shake your asses; tell your friends. Also, our blog has a brand new look. You dig?
Here's a video of us playing Cataclysmo at Inti Maldonado's studio in Long Island City; enjoy. See you Thursday!
