The “Deutschlandlied,” officially known as “Das Lied der Deutschen” (The Song of the Germans), has served as Germany’s national anthem since 1922. While its music is instantly recognizable, having been composed by the celebrated classical figure Joseph Haydn, the journey of its lyrics and the verses officially adopted is a rich tapestry woven with German history and national identity. Understanding the lyrics for the german national anthem requires delving into its origins and the significant changes it underwent, particularly in the 20th century.
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Origins of the Music and Lyrics
The music for the “Deutschlandlied” was composed by Joseph Haydn in 1797. Originally titled “Gott erhalte Franz den Kaiser” (“God Save Emperor Francis”), it was created as an anthem for Francis II, the Holy Roman Emperor (later Emperor of Austria). This melody gained popularity and was used for various purposes over the following decades.
The lyrics that would later become associated with Haydn’s melody were written much later, in 1841, by the German poet August Heinrich Hoffmann von Fallersleben. He penned the words while on the island of Heligoland (then a British possession). His poem aimed to express the longing for a unified Germany, a concept that was revolutionary at the time when Germany was fragmented into numerous states and principalities.
The Three Stanzas of Hoffmann von Fallersleben’s Poem
Hoffmann von Fallersleben’s original poem consisted of three stanzas. The first stanza, beginning “Deutschland, Deutschland über alles” (“Germany, Germany above all”), spoke of German unity across the geographic areas where German was spoken. The second stanza celebrated German wine, women, and song. The third stanza, however, focused on different ideals: “Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit” (“Unity and justice and freedom”).
It is crucial to understand the historical context of the first stanza. When written in 1841, “Deutschland über alles” expressed a desire for a unified Germany that transcended the loyalties to individual smaller states. It was not intended to mean German superiority over other nations. However, its meaning became tragically twisted and associated with aggressive nationalism, particularly during the Nazi era.
What Are the Lyrics to the Current German National Anthem?
Following the horrors of World War II and the subsequent division and reunification of Germany, only the third stanza of Hoffmann von Fallersleben’s poem is now recognized and used as the official national anthem. The decision to solely use the third stanza was cemented upon German reunification in 1990, formally confirmed by President Richard von Weizsäcker and Chancellor Helmut Kohl in 1991. This choice deliberately distances the modern German state from the problematic historical interpretations and associations of the first two stanzas.
Here are the lyrics to the third stanza in German:
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!
Translate German National Anthem: The Meaning in English
The third stanza’s focus on “Unity and justice and freedom” provides a foundation for the values the modern Federal Republic of Germany seeks to uphold. These are seen as essential pillars for a prosperous and happy nation.
Here is the german national anthem translated into English:
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 German National Anthem Post-WWII
The history of the anthem after 1945 is complex. In West Germany, the “Deutschlandlied” (specifically the third stanza) was re-adopted in the early 1950s by President Theodor Heuss and Chancellor Konrad Adenauer, largely maintaining continuity with the Weimar Republic era (when the whole poem was adopted as the anthem). The third stanza was emphasized as the appropriate version.
Meanwhile, East Germany (German Democratic Republic) adopted its own national anthem in 1949, “Auferstanden aus Ruinen” (“Risen from Ruins”), with music by Hanns Eisler and lyrics by Johannes R. Becher. This anthem reflected the new socialist state’s ideology and its break from the past.
Album cover for the East German national anthem Auferstanden Aus Ruinen
With the reunification of Germany in 1990, “Auferstanden aus Ruinen” was retired, and the Federal Republic’s national anthem was extended to the unified nation. The joint declaration by President von Weizsäcker and Chancellor Kohl in 1991 formally designated the third stanza as the sole official anthem, solidifying its place as the symbol of the unified, democratic Germany founded on the principles of german national anthem translation focusing on unity, justice, and freedom.
In conclusion, while the music of the German national anthem has a long history dating back to Haydn, the officially recognized lyrics for the german national anthem are solely those of the third stanza of Hoffmann von Fallersleben’s 1841 poem. This choice reflects a conscious decision to represent a modern Germany committed to democratic values and lessons learned from its past, making “Unity and justice and freedom” the enduring message sung today.