San Lorenzo march
Encyclopedia
The San Lorenzo march is an Argentine military march, whose lyrics celebrate the role played by the Regiment of Mounted Grenadiers commanded by José de San Martín
at the Battle of San Lorenzo
during the Argentine War of Independence
. Special mention receives the heroic sargeant Juan Bautista Cabral
. The music was composed in 1901 by Uruguay
an musician Cayetano Alberto Silva
, and the lyrics in 1908 by Carlos Javier Benielli. It was later incorporated into the musical repertoires of other military bands around the world.
, Cayetano Silva composed a march dedicated to José de San Martín
. He did so following a proposal from Representative Celestino Pera. He initially considered naming it "San Martín", but he changed his mind and named it "San Lorenzo" instead. The Battle of San Lorenzo
is the only battle that San Martín fought within the territory of modern Argentina. The city of San Lorenzo
, where the battle was fought, was the birthplace of Pablo Ricchieri
(the Argentine War Minister in 1901), and Silva dedicated the march to him.
The march was publicly performed for the first time on October 30, 1902, at the opening ceremony for the monument to General San Martín in Plaza San Martín (Rosario)
, in the presence of President Julio Argentino Roca
and Ricchieri. His neighbor, Carlos Javier Benielli, added lyrics to the march in 1908, with a description of the battle and the role of Juan Bautista Cabral in it.
The march became famous in other countries over time and, according to the Argentine British Community Council, is currently considered in Europe one of the best five military marches ever written. The military bands of Uruguay, Brazil and Poland, among others, include it in their musical repertoire. It was played during the coronations of King George V
and Elizabeth II, in 1911 and 1953 respectively, with prior approval sought by the British government from Argentina. In addition, the march is played during the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace
, although it was suspended during the Falklands War
. It was also exchanged with the German army for their Alte Kameraden
march, before World War II, and it was played in Paris during the German occupation of France during World War II as a result. The Supreme Allied Commander, General Dwight D. Eisenhower
, sought to redress this by having it played during the entrance of the Allied army that liberated Paris
after the successful Operation Overlord
.
José de San Martín
José Francisco de San Martín, known simply as Don José de San Martín , was an Argentine general and the prime leader of the southern part of South America's successful struggle for independence from Spain.Born in Yapeyú, Corrientes , he left his mother country at the...
at the Battle of San Lorenzo
Battle of San Lorenzo
The Battle of San Lorenzo was fought on February 3, 1813 in San Lorenzo, Argentina, then part of the United Provinces of the Río de la Plata. A Spanish Royalist army under the command of Antonio Zabala was defeated by the Regiment of Mounted Grenadiers, under the command of José de San Martín...
during the Argentine War of Independence
Argentine War of Independence
The Argentine War of Independence was fought from 1810 to 1818 by Argentine patriotic forces under Manuel Belgrano, Juan José Castelli and José de San Martín against royalist forces loyal to the Spanish crown...
. Special mention receives the heroic sargeant Juan Bautista Cabral
Juan Bautista Cabral
Juan Bautista Cabral was an Argentine soldier of the Regiment of Mounted Grenadiers who died in the Battle of San Lorenzo, while he was aiding then Colonel José de San Martín, whose horse had fallen to enemy fire...
. The music was composed in 1901 by Uruguay
Uruguay
Uruguay ,officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay,sometimes the Eastern Republic of Uruguay; ) is a country in the southeastern part of South America. It is home to some 3.5 million people, of whom 1.8 million live in the capital Montevideo and its metropolitan area...
an musician Cayetano Alberto Silva
Cayetano Alberto Silva
Cayetano Alberto Silva was an Uruguayan musician, nationalized Argentine, and author; his work includes the San Lorenzo march, the official march of the Argentine army.-Early life:...
, and the lyrics in 1908 by Carlos Javier Benielli. It was later incorporated into the musical repertoires of other military bands around the world.
Creation
On July 8, 1901, at his home in Venado TuertoVenado Tuerto
Venado Tuerto is a city in the south-west of the , 322 km from the provincial capital. It has about 70,000 inhabitants .Venado Tuerto was founded on April 26, 1884 by Eduardo Casey, born in Lobos, Buenos Aires, in 1847. He was the son of two Irish immigrants who had amassed considerable wealth...
, Cayetano Silva composed a march dedicated to José de San Martín
José de San Martín
José Francisco de San Martín, known simply as Don José de San Martín , was an Argentine general and the prime leader of the southern part of South America's successful struggle for independence from Spain.Born in Yapeyú, Corrientes , he left his mother country at the...
. He did so following a proposal from Representative Celestino Pera. He initially considered naming it "San Martín", but he changed his mind and named it "San Lorenzo" instead. The Battle of San Lorenzo
Battle of San Lorenzo
The Battle of San Lorenzo was fought on February 3, 1813 in San Lorenzo, Argentina, then part of the United Provinces of the Río de la Plata. A Spanish Royalist army under the command of Antonio Zabala was defeated by the Regiment of Mounted Grenadiers, under the command of José de San Martín...
is the only battle that San Martín fought within the territory of modern Argentina. The city of San Lorenzo
San Lorenzo, Santa Fe
San Lorenzo is a city in the south of the province of Santa Fe, Argentina, located 23 km north of Rosario, on the western shore of the Paraná River, and forming one end of the Greater Rosario metropolitan area...
, where the battle was fought, was the birthplace of Pablo Ricchieri
Pablo Ricchieri
Pablo Ricchieri was an Argentine Army officer and Minister of War during the second Administration of President Julio Roca.-Life and times:...
(the Argentine War Minister in 1901), and Silva dedicated the march to him.
The march was publicly performed for the first time on October 30, 1902, at the opening ceremony for the monument to General San Martín in Plaza San Martín (Rosario)
Plaza San Martín (Rosario)
Plaza San Martín is a plaza in Rosario, province of Santa Fe, Argentina. Its name is an homage to General José de San Martín, hero of the Argentine War of Independence....
, in the presence of President Julio Argentino Roca
Julio Argentino Roca
Alejo Julio Argentino Roca Paz was an army general who served as President of Argentina from 12 October 1880 to 12 October 1886 and again from 12 October 1898 to 12 October 1904.-Upbringing and early career:...
and Ricchieri. His neighbor, Carlos Javier Benielli, added lyrics to the march in 1908, with a description of the battle and the role of Juan Bautista Cabral in it.
The march became famous in other countries over time and, according to the Argentine British Community Council, is currently considered in Europe one of the best five military marches ever written. The military bands of Uruguay, Brazil and Poland, among others, include it in their musical repertoire. It was played during the coronations of King George V
George V of the United Kingdom
George V was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 through the First World War until his death in 1936....
and Elizabeth II, in 1911 and 1953 respectively, with prior approval sought by the British government from Argentina. In addition, the march is played during the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace, in London, is the principal residence and office of the British monarch. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is a setting for state occasions and royal hospitality...
, although it was suspended during the Falklands War
Falklands War
The Falklands War , also called the Falklands Conflict or Falklands Crisis, was fought in 1982 between Argentina and the United Kingdom over the disputed Falkland Islands and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands...
. It was also exchanged with the German army for their Alte Kameraden
Alte Kameraden
Alte Kameraden is the title of a popular German military march. It is included in the Heeresmarsch as HM II, 150.The march Alte Kameraden was composed around 1889 by the composer of military music Carl Teike in Ulm. Allegedly his superior told him, after Teike presented him the notes, "We have...
march, before World War II, and it was played in Paris during the German occupation of France during World War II as a result. The Supreme Allied Commander, General Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower was the 34th President of the United States, from 1953 until 1961. He was a five-star general in the United States Army...
, sought to redress this by having it played during the entrance of the Allied army that liberated Paris
Liberation of Paris
The Liberation of Paris took place during World War II from 19 August 1944 until the surrender of the occupying German garrison on August 25th. It could be regarded by some as the last battle in the Battle for Normandy, though that really ended with the crushing of the Wehrmacht forces between the...
after the successful Operation Overlord
Operation Overlord
Operation Overlord was the code name for the Battle of Normandy, the operation that launched the invasion of German-occupied western Europe during World War II by Allied forces. The operation commenced on 6 June 1944 with the Normandy landings...
.
Lyrics
| Spanish lyrics | English translation |
| Febo asoma, ya sus rayos iluminan el histórico convento. Tras los muros, sordos ruidos oír se dejan de corceles y de acero. Son las huestes que prepara San Martín para luchar en San Lorenzo. El clarín estridente sonó y a la voz del gran jefe a la carga ordenó. |
Phoebus rises, and now his rays light up the historic convent. Behind its walls, the muffled sounds of steeds and steel can be heard. They are the hosts being prepared by San Martín to fight in San Lorenzo. Then the clarion stridently sounded and the voice of the great chief ordered the charge. |
| Avanza el enemigo a paso redoblado, al viento desplegado su rojo pabellón. Al viento desplegado su rojo pabellón. Y nuestros granaderos, aliados de la gloria, inscriben en la historia su página mejor. Inscriben en la historia su página mejor. |
The enemy advances at redoubled path, To the wind deployed their red banner. To the wind deployed their red banner. And our grenadiers allied with glory write down in history their best page. Write down in history their best page. |
| Cabral, soldado heroico, cubriéndose de gloria, cual precio a la victoria su vida rinde, haciéndose inmortal. Y allí salvó su arrojo, la libertad naciente de medio continente. ¡Honor, honor al gran Cabral! (interlude and repeat last 4 lines) |
Cabral, heroic soldier, was covered in glory and as price for that victory he gave up his life, becoming immortal. And there his boldness saved the raising freedom of half a continent. Honour, honour to great Cabral! (interlude and repeat last 4 lines) |
External links
- San Lorenzo official site - San Lorenzo march interpreted by Alejandro LernerAlejandro LernerAlejandro Federico Lerner is an Argentine musician and singer-songwriter. He has written and sang countless songs including several hits, and his fame and recognition spread all over South America....
and María Elena WalshMaría Elena WalshMaría Elena Walsh was an Argentine poet, novelist, musician, dramaturge, writer and composer, mainly known for her songs and books for children.-Biography:...