Portugal National Anthem — A Portuguesa

"A Portuguesa" summons the Portuguese as "heroes of the sea" — a nod to the great age of maritime exploration — and calls a "valiant, immortal nation" to raise up "the splendour of Portugal" once again. It invokes the voices of "illustrious forefathers" rising through the mists of memory to lead the country to victory.

Its defiant chorus, "Às armas, às armas!" ("To arms, to arms!"), was written in a moment of national anger. The original line named the British directly — "Contra os bretões marchar" — but was later softened to the neutral "Contra os canhões" ("against the cannons"), turning a specific grievance into a timeless call to defend the homeland.

Alfredo Keil composed the music and Henrique Lopes de Mendonça wrote the words in 1890, in the wave of outrage that followed the British Ultimatum demanding Portugal abandon its claims in southern Africa. The song quickly became linked to the republican cause. After the revolution of 5 October 1910 toppled the monarchy, "A Portuguesa" was adopted as the national anthem and officially confirmed in 1911. It has three stanzas, of which only the first is normally sung.

"A Portuguesa" carries the memory of a national humiliation transformed into pride, and its ties to the birth of the Republic make it a symbol of modern Portugal. The change of the chorus from an anti-British line to "against the cannons" reflects how the anthem outgrew its origins. It is sung at state ceremonies and roared before Portugal's football matches.

"A Portuguesa" is the national anthem of Portugal, one of the world's national anthems. The lyrics are by Henrique Lopes de Mendonça and the music by Alfredo Keil, both written in 1890.

Born as a protest song, it was adopted as the anthem of the new Portuguese Republic after 1910 and made official in 1911. Words and music are in the public domain.