"Basque Soldiers" was the republican anthem of the Eusko Gudarostea, the army of the Basque Autonomous Government during the Spanish Civil War. The song used to refer to the defense of the Basque country within the Republic of Spain against the nationalist Spain army. It is also used as an anthem by ETA and the organizations orbiting the Basque National Liberation Movement. The melody is a traditional Basque tune from Araba, called Atzo Bilbon nengoan. The lyrics were composed in 1932 by José María de Gárate, an officer of the EAJ-PNV. During the war, Captain Alejandro Lizaso Eizmendi added some verses.
Lyrics[]
Basque original[]
Euzko Gudariak gera
Euskadi askatzeko
Gerturik daukagu odola
bere aldez emateko
Irrintzi bat entzunda
mendi tontorrean
goazen gudari danok
Ikurriñan atzean
English translation[]
We are the Basque Soldiers
to free the Basque Country
we have ready our blood
to give it for it
An irrintzi has been heard
on the top of the mountain,
let's go, all the soldiers
behind the Basque flag