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: ''This article is on the National Anthem of Mexico . For the film, see Mexicanos, Al Grito De Guerra (1943 Film) .'' "Mexicanos, al grito de guerra" ( Spanish for "Mexicans, at the cry of war") is the unofficial title of the National Anthem of Mexico (''Himno Nacional Mexicano'') and also the first line of its Chorus . The song's lyrics, which allude to Mexican victories in the heat of battle and cries of defending the homeland, were composed by poet Francisco González Bocanegra in 1853, after his Fiancée locked him in a room. In 1854, Jaime Nunó arranged the music which now accompanies González's poem. The anthem, consisting of ten Stanza s and a chorus, entered into use on September 16 , 1854 but was not officially declared the national anthem until 1943. During this period, the lyrics underwent several modifications due to political changes in Mexico. COMPOSITION Lyrics competition On (DOF) on February 3 , 1854 . Music competition At the same time the lyrics were chosen, a set of music was chosen. The winner was , September 16 of that same year. The inaugural interpretation was directed by Juan Bottesini, sung by Soprano Claudia Florenti and Tenor Lorenzo Salvi at the Santa Anna Theatre (now known as the National Theatre of Mexico).Secretary of External Relations History of the Mexican Anthem . Retrieved Mar. 15, 2006. LYRICS Officially since 1943, the full national anthem consists of the chorus, 1st stanza, 5th stanza, 6th stanza and 10th stanza. The modification of the lyrics was ordered by President , the only parts of the anthem that are played are the chorus, 1st stanza and the chorus. When opening and closing television and or radio programming, stations have sometimes played a modified national anthem consisting of the chorus, 1st stanza, chorus, 10th stanza and chorus. ''Notes:'' The official lyrics are in Spanish, but as of is the feminine form of the English term for the homeland (Motherland/Fatherland). Spanish to English vocab list - Page 5 National Anthem of Mexico COPYRIGHT STATUS An urban legend about the copyright status of the Mexican anthem states that years after the first performance of the anthem, Nunó's family sold the anthem's musical rights to a German music publishing company named Wagner House. Originally, Nunó was supposed to have turned the music rights over to the state in exchange for a prize from the Mexican government. However, according to the myth, the copyright changed hands again, this time to Nunó himself and two Americans , Harry Henneman and Phil Hill.LA Weekly DON'T CRY FOR ME, MEXICO; Article about the copyright situation . Sept. 22, 1999. In reality, however, this is not entirely correct. It is true that Nuno, Henneman and Hill did register the music with the company and the National Flag .E-Moeller.com Mexican Copyright Law . Retrieved Mar. 15, 2006 NATIONAL REGULATIONS In the second chapter of the Law regarding the National Arms, Flag, and Anthem (''Ley sobre el Escudo, la Bandera y el Himno Nacionales''), Mexico's national anthem is described in very brief terms. While Articles 2 and 3 discuss in detail the Coat Of Arms and the Flag , respectively, Article 4 mentions only that the national anthem will be designated by law. Article 4 also mentions that a copy of the lyrics and the musical notation will be kept at two locations, the General National Archive and at the National Library, located in the National Museum of History (''Biblioteca Nacional en el Museo Nacional De Historia ''). Chapter 5 of the Law goes into more detail about how to honor, respect and properly perform the national anthem: Article 38 states that the singing, playing, reproduction and circulation of the national anthem are regulated by law and that any interpretation of the anthem must be performed in a "respectful way and in a scope that allows {Link without Title} to observe the due solemnity" of the anthem. Article 39 prohibits the anthem from being altered in any fashion, prohibits it from being sung for commercial or promotional purposes, and also disallows the singing or playing of national anthems from other nations, unless you have permission from the Secretary of the Interior (''Secretaría de Gobernación'') and the diplomatic official from the nation in question. The Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Public Education (''Secretaría de Educación Publica''), in Article 40, must grant permission for all reproductions of the national anthem to be produced, unless the anthem is being played during official ceremonies carried on the Radio or Television . Article 41 states that the national anthem is required to be played at the beginning or end of radio and television programing. The extra requirement for television programing is that photos of the Mexican flag must be displayed at the same time the anthem is playing. Article 42 states that the anthem may only be used during the following occasions: solemn acts of official, civic, cultural, scholastic or sport character. The anthem can also be played to render honors to the Mexican flag and to the President Of Mexico . If the national anthem is being used to honor the national flag or the President, the short version of the anthem is played. Article 43 says that special musical honors may be paid to the President and the flag, but no more than once during the same ceremony. Article 44 says that during solemn occasions, if a choir is singing the anthem, the military bands will keep silent. Article 45 says that those who are watching the national anthem performance must stand at attention (''firmes'') and remove any headgear. Article 46 states that the national anthem must be taught to children who are attending primary or secondary school; this article was amended in 2005 to add pre-school to the list. The article also states that each school in the National Education System (''Sistema Educativo Nacional'') will be asked to sing the national anthem each year. Article 47 states that during an official welcoming ceremony for a head of state, the guest's anthem will be played first, then the Mexican anthem. Article 48 states that at embassies and consulates of Mexico, the national anthem is played at ceremonies of a solemn nature that involves the Mexican people. If the anthem is played outside of Mexico, Article 48 requires that the Secretary of External Relations (''Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores''), through proper channels, must grant permission for the national anthem to be played and will also ensure that the anthem is not sung for commercial purposes.Instituto de Investigaciones Jurídicas de la UNAM Ley sobre el Escudo, la Bandera y el Himno Nacionales . Retrieved Mar. 15, 2006. CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE Upon the writing of the anthem, Mexico was still facing the effects of a defeat in a War with the United States. The country felt demoralized and also divided, due to the loss of nearly half of the territory to the United States. According to historian Javier Garciadiego, who spoke at a ceremony commemorating the 150th anniversary of the anthem's adoption, said that the anthem disregards divisions and strife and encourages national unity. Also, during the celebration in 2004, Mexico City and other parts of the country stopped what they were doing and performed a nationwide singing of the anthem. Individuals from other nations participated, mostly at diplomatic offices or at locations where a high concentration of Mexican Expatriate s are found. The anthem has also been described as one of the symbols of the "Mexican identity." In the rare occasions when someone performs the anthem incorrectly, the federal government has been known to impose penalties to maintain the "dignity" of the national symbols. One example is when a performer forgot some of the lyrics at a , police officers asked four men to sing the Mexican anthem after they were arrested in Tokyo on charges of breaking and entering. However, when the men could not sing the anthem, it was discovered that they were Colombian nationals holding forged Mexican passports. They were later charged with more counts on theft of merchandise and money.ABC News Online Japanese police catch Colombian thieves out . Jun 15, 2004. Retrieved Mar. 20, 2006. RECORDINGS SHEET MUSIC |