German National Anthem

Of course, we Germans have a national anthem like any other country, too. I think it’s a really pretty song and everyone who lives in Germany should know it. An anthem says a lot about its country and the important guidelines there.

Our anthem consists of the third verse of the “Deutschlandlied” by Augst Heinrich Hoffmann von Fallersleben. Fallersleben was an important poet in Germany who lived from 1798 to 1875. The “Deutschlandlied” (you can translate it with “Song of Germany”) contains three verses but it is strictly forbidden to sing the first two ones because of their usage in Nazi Germany. The music comes from the “Kaiserlied” by Joseph Haydn, an important German composer who lived from 1732 to 1809. I think that’s enough history for now. By the way, our national anthem is rather young. Only since 1990 we sing this song as our hymn. And another interesting fact about the German national anthem – the three most important words in it, “Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit” (unity and justice and freedom) are impressed in the edge of the €2 coin.

 

The German 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!
Blüh‘ im Glanze dieses Glückes,
Blühe, deutsches Vaterland!

And the English translation

Unity, Justice and Freedom
For the German Fatherland!
Let’s all strive toward this Purpose
Brotherly, with Heart and Hand!
Unity, Justice and Freedom
Are the Promise of Happiness.

Flourish in this Blessing’s Glory,
Flourish, German Fatherland!
Flourish in this Blessing’s Glory,
Flourish, German Fatherland!