Perucho Figueredo, who took part in the battle, wrote the lyrics to the anthem, and he, along with Antonio Rodriguez-Ferrer, composed the melody of "La Bayamesa" in 1868.
On October 20, 1868, the Cuban forces obtained the capitulation of the Spanish colonial authorities in Bayamo, the jubilant people surrounded Figueredo and asked him to write an anthem with the melody they were humming.
Right on the saddle of his horse, Figueredo wrote the lyrics of the anthem,[1] which was longer than the current official version.
[2] Officially adopted by Cuba as its national anthem in 1902, upon the foundation of the Republic, it was retained even after the revolution of 1959.
[3] In addition to the "Himno de Bayamo", there are two other well-known Cuban songs called "La Bayamesa".
The first Bayamesa was composed in 1851 by Carlos Manuel de Céspedes and José Fornaris at the request of their friend Francisco Castillo Moreno, who is sometimes also credited with the lyrics.
The last two were excluded when the anthem was officially adopted in 1902, because the lyrics were seen to be excessively anti-Spanish[7] and too long compared with the other verses.
Del clarín escuchad el sonido: ¡A las armas, valientes, corred!
No temáis los feroces íberos, Son cobardes cual todo tirano.
No resisten al bravo cubano; Para siempre su imperio cayó.