Hymn of the Boat
In the 50s, the Muxía writer Gonzalo López Abente composed the Hymn of the Virgin of a Barca, a text born of the growing popular fervour and booming nature of the Festival.
Although he wrote it in Spanish – a language imposed on the population at that time – his verses preserve intact the emotion and devotion of the people. Later, the melody was added by Gerardo Martín Peña, maestro of the Chapel of the Cathedral of Salamanca, giving the hymn the solemnity that today makes it a central piece of the religious program.
Its lyrics not only reflect the massive influx of pilgrims that already characterized this festival at that time, but also the legend that gives meaning to everything: the miraculous appearance of the Virgin to the Apostle James to encourage him in his evangelizing mission. Every year, this composition comes to life again by the sea, uniting past and present in a collective song that thrills those who listen to it.
Huge rocks of the wild coast on which Mary engraved on the white foam, her footprints as she left, the arrogant ship that sailed from the East the stormy sea.
The rose of the miracle trembling on the bank as it trembles in the shining chimera “rosicler,” unfastened its leaves of clear whiteness, and the figure of a virginal woman emerged.
Our Lord James is exhausted, and in the shade of the hard rock, when this Rose surprises and encourages him to conquer the summit of his cordial mission.
Made of stone was the boat in which Our Lady, wrapped in the light of dawn, arrived at Mugía. And from that time the miraculous ship with a slow and serious course oscillated.
To the church of the Blessed Virgin, the boat that spreads in the region with a dazzling radiance,
innumerable devotees come from near or remote places full of fervour.
Let us sing praises to our Patroness who has given us such a clear sign of love, coming in human flesh to visit this soil and raise our zeal