Colombia National Anthem — Himno Nacional de Colombia

The Colombian anthem sets triumph against the memory of struggle. Its chorus — "Oh, unfading glory! Oh, immortal joy!" — proclaims that "in furrows of pain, goodness now germinates", the fruit of hard-won freedom.

The first verse announces that "the horrible night has ceased" and that "sublime liberty pours forth the dawns of its invincible light", so that all of humanity "that groans within its chains" may understand the words "of Him who died on the cross". It is a grand, hopeful vision of liberty dawning after oppression.

Rafael Núñez wrote the words first as a poem in 1850 to honour the independence of Cartagena. In 1887, at the request of the actor José Domingo Torres and during Núñez's own presidency, the Italian-born opera singer and teacher Oreste Sindici composed the music, with Núñez refining the text. It was first performed on 11 November 1887 in Bogotá, became hugely popular, and was made the official national anthem by Law 33 of 18 October 1920.

The Colombian anthem is unusual in having been written by a sitting head of state — Rafael Núñez was President when Sindici set his words to music. By law it is broadcast on radio and television at 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., and its operatic sweep, the work of an Italian opera singer, gives it a grandeur cherished across Colombia.

The "Himno Nacional de Colombia" is the national anthem of Colombia, one of the most operatic of the world's national anthems. The lyrics are by Rafael Núñez and the music by Oreste Sindici.

First performed in 1887, it was made official by Law 33 of 1920. Both words and music are in the public domain. The anthem has a chorus and eleven verses; performances use the chorus, one verse and the chorus again.