The lyrics changed several times, altered by contemporary events, until settling into a more or less permanent form in 1821.

[2] It was a particularly popular tune with the Portuguese troops of Wellington's Peninsular Army, where it was known by the words from the chorus Vencer ou morrer ("Win or die").

Wellington's Advocate General, Seymour Larpent, noted in his diary on 9 June 1813, "The Portuguese are in the highest order, the men really look at least equal to ours, better than some … the infantry and the Caçadores in particular.

"I have heard it boldly played in the teeth of the enemy by the Portuguese bands … It made all Portuguese hearts pant for the fight … and as the voices joined the music, Vencer o morir [Vencer ou morrer] was not sung without meaning."

After D. Peter of Braganza became king and provided a new constitution, the song "Hymno da Carta" became more commonly used as the anthem, and the latter was officially decreed as such in 1834.