Recent controversy around the translation of the National Anthem into Spanish has spurred some experts in Texas to look to history to tell us about the Anthem’s past. Turns out it had already been translated into Spanish (and other languages) nearly 100 years ago, and that version caused no public outcry. Indeed, it was actually commissioned by the U.S. government:

President Bush has spoken out against the translated version of the national anthem, saying it should be sung in English only. If so, that’s actually a break with American tradition, says Walter Kamphoefner, a history professor at Texas A&M University.

The Library of Congress archives dozens of versions of the anthem, including a couple in German and a Spanish translation commissioned by the U.S. Department of Education in 1912.

Perhaps naysayers should have protested the fact that it was recorded by Reggaeton performers instead. Actually, that argument wouldn’t hold water since the anthem is regularly performed at public events in variety of genres.

According to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice:

“I’ve heard the national anthem done in rap versions, country versions, classical versions,” Rice said Sunday on CBS’s “Face the Nation.” “The individualization of the American national anthem is quite under way.”

According to the Texas A&M professor, it was German immigrants to Texas who may have been the first to make the anthem their own by translating it into their native language. He adds:

“One of the most important ways of transmitting American values and loyalty to the U.S. is by means of translation. Ethnic editors have been doing that literally since the first translation of the Declaration of Independence to German.” The date: July 9, 1776.

And that original Spanish translation? It was called “La bandera de las estrellas”. You can see the lyrics here, the very ones used in “Nuestro Himno”.

Via / Chron.com and Hispanic Tips

Image via Gather.com