© 2025 Kansas City Public Radio
NPR in Kansas City
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Spanish Composer: Let There Be Words To Our National Anthem!

RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

Good morning, I'm Renee Montagne. Here in America, we can reach for the high notes in "The Star-Spangled Banner." Those north of the border can croon "O Canada." But Spain is among a handful of countries whose national anthems lack lyrics, which makes for a lot of humming at sports events. Madrid composer Victor Lago had had enough, so he wrote lyrics and asked lawmakers to adopt them. His national anthem extols Spain's noble people and its olive trees. It's MORNING EDITION. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.

No matter what happens in Washington D.C., Kansas City needs KCUR. And KCUR needs you.

Our ability to report local news — accurate, independent and paywall-free — depends on you. Donate now to support fact-based news.