A las barricadas
Serge Utgé-Royo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Negras tormentas agitan los aires
Nubes oscuras nos impiden ver.
Aunque nos espere el dolor y la muerte
Contra el enemigo nos llama el deber.
El bien mas preciado
Hay que defenderla
Con fe y con valor.
Alza la bandera revolucionaria
Que llevara al pueblo a la emancipacion
En pie obrero a la batalla
Hay que derrocar a la reaccion
A las Barricadas!
A las Barricadas!
Por el triunfo
De la Confederacion.
The lyrics of A las Barricadas, written by Valeriano Orobón Fernández and set to music by J.A.L. (probably J.A. Linares, but this is not confirmed) in the early 20th century, call for a revolutionary call to arms against oppression and tyranny. The opening lines evoke a sense of tumult and chaos, with dark storms and obscured vision, but despite the pain and death that may await, the duty to fight against the enemy is invoked. The most precious good is freedom, and it is essential to defend it with faith and courage. The revolutionary banner is raised, carrying the people towards emancipation, and the working class is called to battle against reactionaries. Finally, the rallying cry of A las Barricadas! is repeated, calling for the triumph of the Confederation.
The song A las Barricadas has been a popular anthem of anarchists and leftist movements since its creation. The phrase 'a las barricadas' means 'to the barricades' and has been used historically to refer to the use of makeshift barricades by protesters to block off streets in order to defend themselves from police or army attacks. The song has become a symbol of resistance against oppression across the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Negras tormentas agitan los aires
Dark storms stir the air
Nubes oscuras nos impiden ver.
Dark clouds prevent us from seeing.
Aunque nos espere el dolor y la muerte
Although pain and death await us
Contra el enemigo nos llama el deber.
Duty calls us to fight against the enemy.
El bien mas preciado
The most precious thing
Es la libertad
Is freedom
Hay que defenderla
It must be defended
Con fe y con valor.
With faith and valor.
Alza la bandera revolucionaria
Raise the revolutionary flag
Que llevara al pueblo a la emancipacion
That will lead the people to emancipation
En pie obrero a la batalla
Workers, stand up and battle
Hay que derrocar a la reaccion
We must overthrow reaction
A las Barricadas!
To the Barricades!
A las Barricadas!
To the Barricades!
Por el triunfo
For the triumph
De la Confederacion.
Of the Confederation.
Contributed by Gavin O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.