‘Deutschlandlied’, officially known as ‘Das Lied der Deutschen’ (The Song of the Germans), has served as the national anthem of Germany since 1922. Its use and the specific verses sung have evolved significantly over history, particularly after World War II. Understanding the German national anthem’s English translation provides insight into the nation’s values and history.
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The music for ‘Deutschlandlied’ was composed in 1797 by the renowned Austrian classical composer, Joseph Haydn. Originally, the melody was set to the words ‘Gott erhalte Franz den Kaiser’ (God Save Emperor Francis) and was written to celebrate the birthday of Francis II, who was Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire and later the Emperor of Austria.
The lyrics that were later attached to Haydn’s melody were penned by the German poet August Heinrich Hoffmann von Fallersleben in 1841. His poem consisted of three stanzas, but due to historical context, only the third stanza is now recognized and sung as the official national anthem of Germany.
The evolution of the anthem’s use is tied to significant periods in German history. The Weimar Republic adopted ‘Deutschlandlied’ as its national anthem after World War I, aiming to foster a sense of national unity.
West Germany continued to use the anthem in the early 1950s following World War II, while East Germany had its own distinct anthem, ‘Auferstanden aus Ruinen’ (Risen from Ruins), from 1949 until reunification.
The Official Lyrics (Third Stanza)
Here are the official German lyrics of the current national anthem:
Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit
Für das deutsche Vaterland!
Danach lasst uns alle streben
Brüderlich mit Herz und Hand!
Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit
Sind des Glückes Unterpfand;
Blüh’ im Glanze dieses Glückes,
Blühe, deutsches Vaterland!
German National Anthem English Translation
The English translation of the official third stanza conveys the core aspirations expressed in the lyrics:
Unity and justice and freedom
For the German fatherland!
Towards these let us all strive
Brotherly with heart and hand!
Unity and justice and freedom
Are the foundation of happiness;
Flourish in the radiance of this happiness,
Flourish, German fatherland!
The meaning behind these lines centres on key democratic values: unity, justice, and freedom. These are presented as the fundamental pillars upon which the prosperity and happiness of the German nation are built. The call to strive towards these goals “brotherly with heart and hand” emphasizes collective effort and solidarity among the citizens. This focus on universal values distinguishes it sharply from the earlier, more nationalistic stanzas. Understanding the poetic elements, such as the rhyme scheme and the use of apostrophe (“Blühe, deutsches Vaterland!”), helps to appreciate the song’s structure, even when discussing its official function rather than a deep analysis of what is a meter in poetry.
History and the Adoption of the Third Stanza
The decision to use only the third stanza is a direct consequence of Germany’s 20th-century history. The first stanza, which begins “Deutschland, Deutschland über alles” (Germany, Germany above everything), and the second stanza, which contains geographical references that were seen as irredentist after territorial changes, became closely associated with the aggressive nationalism of the Nazi regime. To distance the post-war nation from this past, the earlier verses were officially discarded. When Germany was reunified in 1990, the third stanza was formally confirmed as the sole national anthem.
Image related to musical recordings of the German national anthem.
This historical context is crucial to understanding why only the third stanza is used today. It represents a conscious choice to ground the national identity in democratic principles rather than in territorial claims or a sense of inherent superiority. The melody itself, derived from Haydn’s work, provides a grand and solemn backdrop to these important words. While the study of meters of poems or specific structures like the Sapphic meter might not be directly applicable to the anthem’s structure, the choice of language and rhythm still contributes to its impact as a national symbol.
Visual representing the anthem of East Germany.
The German national anthem, through its chosen lyrics, stands as a testament to a nation’s commitment to unity, justice, and freedom, embodying the values enshrined in its constitution.