The Argentine National Anthem (Himno Nacional Argentino) was adopted as the sole official song of Argentina on 11 May 1813—three years after the May Revolution.

Its lyrics were written by the Buenos Aires-born politician Vicente López y Planes and the music was composed by the Spanish musician Blas Parera.

What is now officially codified as the state's national anthem is shorter than the original composition and comprises only the first and last verses and the chorus of the 1813 "Patriotic March", omitting much emotional text about the struggle for independence from Spain ("with strong arms they tear to pieces the arrogant Iberian lion").

11 May is celebrated in Argentina as the Argentine National Anthem Day (Día del Himno Nacional Argentino).

The first Argentine national anthem was the "Patriotic March", published on 15 November 1810 in the Gazeta de Buenos Ayres.

This original composition made no reference to the name of Argentina (the country was not formally named "República Argentina" until 1826, although it was referred to as such) or an independentist will, and talked instead about Spain being conquered by France in the Peninsular War, the absolutist restoration begun by the Council of Regency, and the need to keep the republican freedoms achieved so far in the Americas: "Spain was victim / of the plotting Gaul / because to the tyrants / she bent her neck / If there treachery / has doomed a thousands cities / let sacred freedom and union reign here / Let the father to the sons / be able to say / enjoy rights / that I did not enjoy".

Oral tradition has it that the premiere took place on 14 May 1813, at the home of the aristocrat Mariquita Sánchez de Thompson, but there is no documentary evidence of that.

[6] The composition was then known as Canción Patriótica Nacional (National Patriotic Song), and later simply as Canción Patriótica (Patriotic Song), but in Juan Pedro Esnaola's early arrangement, dated around 1848, it appeared under the title Himno Nacional Argentino, and the name has been retained until today.

[7] In the complete version of the Anthem of May (as was christened by López) it is noted that the political vision portrayed is not only Argentine, but Latin American.

Within ten years documented performances took place throughout Argentina, and also in Chile, Peru, and Colombia until they had their own national anthems.

He took the task to heart, making many changes to the music, including a slower tempo, a fuller texture, alterations to the melody, and enrichment of the harmony.

After a heated public debate fueled by the newspaper La Prensa, this version was rejected and, following the recommendations of a second committee, Esnaola's arrangement was officially reinstated.

However, once harsh feelings against Spain had dissipated, and the country had become home to many Spanish immigrants, a modification was introduced by a decree of President Julio Argentino Roca on 30 March 1900: "Without producing alterations in the lyrics of the National Anthem, there are in it verses that perfectly describe the concept that nations universally have regarding their anthems in peaceful times, and that harmonize with the serenity and dignity of thousands of Spanish that share our living, those that can and must be preferred to be sung in official parties, for they respect the traditions and the law in no offense to anyone, the President of the Republic decrees that: In official or public parties, as well as in public schools, shall be sung only the first and last verses and the chorus of the National Song sanctioned by the General Assembly on May 11, 1813.

The original opone has been interpreted as advancing part of the centralist views in Buenos Aires, but has also been considered a "tragical misprint".

[12] The growing ideas of independence are reflected in lines such as "On the surface of the earth rises a glorious new nation, her head is crowned with laurels, and a Lion lies defeated at her feet".

[14] Performance of the national anthem is mandatory during all official events, and Argentines in attendance are expected to stand up and sing it.

[15] The rock musician Charly García broke legal regulations dealing with the reproduction of the song when he included an idiosyncratic cover version in his 1990 album Filosofía barata y zapatos de goma, stirring much controversy.

[16] In 1998 various Argentine artists reedited the anthem and other patriotic songs in the joint album El Grito Sagrado.

A line from the original version of the national anthem was used as the Argentine title of the 1928 film known in English as The Charge of the Gauchos.

Oíd el ruido de rotas cadenas ved en trono a la noble igualdad

Oíd el ruido de rotas cadenas, Ved en trono a la noble igualdad.

¿No los véis sobre México y Quito arrojarse con saña tenaz y cuál lloran, bañados en sangre, Potosí, Cochabamba y La Paz?

A vosotros se atreve, argentinos, el orgullo del vil invasor; vuestros campos ya pisa contando tantas glorias hollar vencedor.

Mas los bravos, que unidos juraron su feliz libertad sostener, a estos tigres sedientos de sangre 𝄆 fuertes pechos sabrán oponer, 𝄇 𝄆 a estos tigres sedientos de sangre fuertes pechos sabrán oponer.

Buenos Ayres se opone a la frente de los pueblos de la ínclita unión, y con brazos robustos desgarran 𝄆 al ibérico altivo león, 𝄇 𝄆 y con brazos robustos desgarran al ibérico altivo león.

Sus banderas, sus armas se rinden por trofeos a la libertad, y sobre alas de gloria alza el pueblo 𝄆 trono digno a su gran majestad, 𝄇 𝄆 y sobre alas de gloria alza el pueblo trono digno a su gran majestad.

But mountans and walls are felt echoing with horrible noise: the whole country is disturbed by cries of revenge, of war and uproar.

Don't you see them over Mexico and Quito lunge forth with stubborn rage and how cry, bathed in blood, Potosí, Cochabamba and La Paz?

It challenges you, Argentines, the pride of the vile invader; your fields he stomps on, counting all the glorious victories he left behind.

From one pole to the other echoes the resounding bugle of fame, and of America, teaching its name, it repeats: "Mortals, hear ye: Now the United Provinces of the South have opened their most worthy throne".