Venceremos (song)
"Venceremos" is a Chilean song, which was written by Claudio Iturra (an alternative version of text was written by Víctor Jara) and composed by Sergio Ortega for the 1970 election campaign of Salvador Allende. The title translates to "We Shall Triumph".
The song quickly became so popular that it was the unofficial national anthem of Chile during the period leading up to the coup.
'Venceremos' is an example of the Nueva Cancion movement of Chilean protest music, which had been gaining momentum for much of the previous decade. This song marks a significant recognition of the political thrust of this movement in its use as a tool of propaganda for the Unidad Popular coalition. Following the success of 'Venceremos', Allende famously stated "there can be no revolution without song",[1] crystallising its significance.
Original version
Desde el hondo crisol de la patria
se levanta el clamor popular;
ya se anuncia la nueva alborada,
todo Chile comienza a cantar.
Recordando al soldado valiente
cuyo ejemplo lo hiciera immortal
enfrentemos primero a la muerte:
traicionar a la patria jamás.
Venceremos, venceremos
mil cadenas habrá que romper
venceremos, venceremos,
la miseria (al fascismo) sabremos vencer!
Campesinos, soldados y obreros,
la mujer de la patria también,
estudiantes, empleados, mineros
cumpliremos con nuestro deber.
Sembraremos la tierra de gloria;
socialista será el porvenir,
todos juntos haremos la historia,
a cumplir, a cumplir, a cumplir.
Venceremos, venceremos…[2]