Anthems

The Spanish National Anthem is vaguely famous for having no words. So when the Spanish National Football Team looks heavenwards as their anthem strikes up it isn't for the same reasons that the English or French squads look sheepish.

There is, apparently, an anthem to Ciudad Rodrigo. It was performed last week as a bit of a treat and the full lyrics were reproduced in the local paper . They were in Spanish but this isn't.

Ciudad Rodrigo, heroic town,
Bountiful mother to faith and courage
Today your faithful children rise
To offer you this song
For the blood that burns in their veins

I'm sure you get the drift. It goes on for another 32 lines in the same style: This sacred ground. Warriors for loyalty and truth. Sweat enriches your sober workers brows. Death or Triumph.

Catchy or what? I went searching for a picture of the composer, a famous son of Ciudad Rodrigo, Dámaso Ledesma, but I couldn't find anything. The best I have is this statue of him in the town.