The National Anthem for any country its a kind of tribute, often evoking the emotions of those that sing it, whether at political ceremonies, in sports events or at school.
Written by Joaquim Osorio Duque-Estrada, a Brazilian poet and essayist, with music by Francisco Manuel da Silva, the Brazilian National Anthem replaced the less famous “Independence Anthem,” a piece of music composed by the Brazilian emperor Pedro I and used until his abdication in 1831.
Wrapped in controversy among historians, only in 1922 lyrics were added in form of two stanzas, thus created the present situation of the music of the anthem being played twice so as to allow for the singing of both stanzas.
Warm and animated, the Brazilian National Anthem’s lyrics are considered difficult to comprehend even by many Brazilians. It is also a declaration of love to Brazil and its people, who are described as the free children of a giant motherland, which blesses its own with hope and happiness, as it is “lying eternally in the splendor.”
However it’s in the football game that reaches the height of its popularity and climax. In the last 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil and although FIFA seemed worried about the length of national anthems (where they created a rule saying that each country’s anthem must last no longer than 90 seconds), which makes the band on the stadiums cut out after that same time With no music in the background, only with the tens of thousand fans singing together a cappella, it has caused goose bumps for many fans and shocked players from opposing teams. The stadium roaring, players in tears (the image of Neymar Jr. will go down in history) and people beating their chests was one of the most inspirational moments in the history of the World Cup’s so far.
Brazilian fans started doing a cappella in 2013, and supporters of Chile and Colombia have picked up on the idea. Brazil captain Thiago Silva has said about this moments in the fields: “It shows that the fans are with us. It has become part of the national team and that has had a great influence on how we play.”
No one at that moment of the game between Brazil and Croatia (see the video below), have dared to make any free bets on a possible result like that which happened later between Brazil and Germany. Nations that sings and feels an national anthem like this – emotive and passionate – doesn’t deserve to engage a 1-7 score in the game.
