A country’s national anthem can be seen as the official – musical – flag of a nation. It represents and reflects a country’s identity and pride. Most national anthems are written as songs in the theme of a march or hymn.

But some nations prefer to let the music speak for now. Here are four countries, across the globe, whose anthems have no lyrics.

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Bosnia and Herzegovina

A new anthem was adopted in 1999, but it was originally without words, until lyrics were written and agreed upon. The music was titled Intermecco, but the anthem is called Državna himna Bosne i Hercegovine (The National Anthem of Bosnia and Herzegovina).

Ten years later, in 2009, a music composer and songwriter compiled lyrics that were accepted by a parliamentary commission. However, it awaits official adoption by all levels of government. So for now, the anthem remains officially without words.

Spain

Known as the Marcha Real (the Royal March) is lyric-less. All because the Spanish people have allegedly never unanimously agreed on a set of lyrics. But there have been several attempts to come up with words for the anthem.

The first major attempt was in 1870, by one General Prim. And the best known attempt occurred fairly recently.

The Spanish Olympic Committee set a competition in 2007 to find a writer for the lyrics for the Spanish anthem. Paulino Cubero won the the competition, and was commissioned to compose lyrics for opera singer, Plácido Domingo to sing.

Domingo ended up rehearsing the words – but the final product did not even reach Spain’s Congress for approval! All because vocal groups around the country were against it. The widespread criticism the lyrics saw across the country, led the organisers to abandon the idea.

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Kosovo

Kosovo does not have an anthem with official lyrics, because the government of Kosovo did not want preference to be given to one language or ethnic group. There are also officials rules laid down to guide the writing of an anthem.

• It should not be similar to any hymns or popular songs of other countries
• Cannot be similar to hymns of political parties, institutions or movements.

Despite this, there have been efforts to develop its own voice. However, this development has been hampered by ethnic and political tensions in Kosovo.

San Marino

San Marino has used a military march – with lyrics – as an unofficial anthem at patriotic events for several years. And while there are no official lyrics, there are unofficial lyrics written by Giosuè Carducci.