Hymno Patriótico

The Hymno Patriótico (English: "Patriotic Hymn") was considered Portugal’s first national anthem.[1] Marcos Portugal, who had remained living in Portugal, had, in 1808, initially named the piece as ‘the Prince’s Hymn’ (D. João VI Hymn). With this dedication, it was offered to the Prince Regent D. John and first performed for him in Brazil in 1809. The anthem was inspired by the cantata "La Speranza o sia l’Augurio Felice". The lyrics changed several times, altered by contemporary events, until settling into a more or less permanent form in 1821.[2]

Hymno Patriótico

English: Patriotic Hymn
National anthem of  Portugal
Music	Marcos António Portugal, 1808
Adopted	13 May 1809
Relinquished	May 1834
Audio sample
Hymno Patriótico (Instrumental) file help

It was a particularly popular tune with the Portuguese troops of Wellington's Peninsular Army, where it was known by the words from the chorus Vencer ou morrer. Wellington's Advocate General, Seymour Larpent, noted in his diary on 9 June 1813, "The Portuguese are in the highest order, the men really look at least equal to ours, better than some … the infantry and the Caçadores in particular. The whole army marches very fresh hitherto, but the Portuguese in particular; they come in, even to the last mile, singing along the road." "I have heard it boldly played in the teeth of the enemy by the Portuguese bands … It made all Portuguese hearts pant for the fight … and as the voices joined the music, Vencer o morir [Vencer ou morrer] was not sung without meaning."

After D. Peter of Braganza became king and provided a new constitution, the song "Hymno da Carta" became more commonly used as the anthem, and the latter was officially decreed as such in 1834.[3]