Montanhes Araneses is the official national anthem of the Aran Valley. It’s the Aranese version of the Se Canta, a Medieval song known in all Occitania with different regional versions and which is seen as the unofficial Occitan anthem.
These are the lyrics to the Aranese version, the original in Aranese Occitan and the English translation.
Aqueres montanhes que tan nautes son, Those mountains that are so high,
m’empèishen de véder mèns amors a o son. prevent me from seeing where my love has gone.
*Chorus*
*Se cantes perqué cantes If you sing, why do you sing?
cantes pas per jo you’re not singing for me
cantes per ma hilha you sing for my girl
que non ei près de jo.* who is not near me.
Nautes se son nautes ja s’abaisharàn High, they’re so high, but they will lay down
es mies amoretes que s’aproparàn. and my dear love will come closer.
Montanhes araneses a on es pastors Aranese mountains where the shepherds
es hònts regalades tròben, e jordons. find water springs and raspberries.
Chorus
Montanhes coronades tot er an de nhèu, Mountains crowned all year long with snow,
tan nautes e bères que vos pune eth cèu. so high and beautiful, that the sky kisses you.
Montanhes araneses pientades de rius, Aranese mountains combed with rivers,
de totes grandeses vos adorne Diu. God adorns you with all majesties.
Nòsti amors veiguéretz com rosèr florir, Our love you will see, like rose bushes blossom,
volem com es pares, guardant-vos morir. we’re flying like birds, as we see you die.
