Das Lied der Deutschen

From Wikipedia, a free encyclopedia written in simple English for easy reading.

This page or section may not use Simple English
Someone thinks that this page or section does not use Simple English.

This does not mean it is bad. It may only be difficult for some users to understand. Editors can help Wikipedia by making the page or section simpler. For tips on making it better, read "How to write Simple English articles".

Das Lied der Deutschen, the last part is the national anthem of Germany. The music was written by Joseph Haydn in 1797 as the Imperial country anthem of Austria ("Gott erhalte Franz den Kaiser" - "God Preserve Our Emp'ror Francis"). The words were written by August Heinrich Hoffmann von Fallersleben in 1841.

Fallersleben's music was very popular in Germany during the second part of the 19th century as a patriotic song. In 1919it was replacing by the German king's anthem "Heil Dir im Siegerkranz" (which was sung on the melody of God Save The Queen). Not like the new country colors, the Fallersleben pledge was popular with all (democratic) people as well with the far right wing groups. In 1921, an not common "fourth part" handeled with the post war situation.

During the time of Hitler, only the first section was sung, usually followed by the NSDAP party motto "Die Fahne hoch" ("Rise the Flag").

Because of the first line "Germany, Germany above all", some thought of the song as country-like, but Fallersleben wrote it when a united Germany still did not exist; the real meaning is: Germany above the separate states as Prussia, Austria, Saxony and more than 30 others, because as he wrote this he lived in exil and missed his home. Besides, Fallersleben (a liberal professor of German literature) is not responsible for the fact that the German borders have changed from 1841 to now.

In 1949, the President of the new Federal Republic of Germany tried to make a new anthem written by the poet Rudolf Alexander Schröder, but the hard and stupid music sheets were not OK by the people which kept singing Fallersleben's way. Finally, President Heuss said that Fallersleben's poem should be the official song again, but at official times only the third part had to be played.

In Eastern Germany, a new pledge was created by the poet and politic-liking Johannes R. Becher ("Auferstanden aus Ruinen" - "Resurrected from the Ruins") with a type of song written by Hanns Eisler. It did not become very popular, and since the beginning of the 1970s the words were no more sung, because of the line "Germany, [our] unified fatherland".

After the re-uniting of 1990, the Fallersleben song again became the national pledge of united Germany. In a letter exchanged between President von Weizsäcker and Chancellor Kohl, the third part was made the official part only. (The whole Lied der Deutschen thus became again an ordinary patriot song among others. Nevertheless, the first stanza is popular only at far right wing groups.)

[edit] German lyrics

Deutschland, Deutschland über alles,
über alles in der Welt,
wenn es stets zu Schutz und Trutze
brüderlich zusammenhält.
Von der Maas bis an die Memel,
von der Etsch bis an den Belt,
|: Deutschland, Deutschland über alles,
über alles in der Welt! :|
Deutsche Frauen, deutsche Treue,
deutscher Wein und deutscher Sang
sollen in der Welt behalten
ihren alten schönen Klang,
uns zu edler Tat begeistern
unser ganzes Leben lang. -
|: Deutsche Frauen, deutsche Treue,
deutscher Wein und deutscher Sang! :|
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. :|

[edit] Approximate Translation

Germany, Germany above all,
above anything in the world,
when always for protection
we stand together as brothers.
from the maas to the memel
from the Adige to the Belt,
|: Germany, Germany above all,
above anything in the world. :|
German women, German faithfulness,
German wine and German songs
should continue to be held in high
esteem all over the world,
and inspire us to noble deeds
all our life. -
|: German women, german faithfulness,
german wine and german songs! :|
Unity and justice and freedom
for the German fatherland;
This let us all pursue,
brotherly with heart and hand.
Unity and justice and freedom
are the pledge of happiness.
|: Flourish in this blessing's glory,
flourish, German fatherland. :|

[edit] Fourth stanza (1921)

Deutschland, Deutschland über alles
Und im Unglück nun erst recht.
Nur im Unglück kann die Liebe Zeigen
ob sie stark und echt.
Und so soll es weiterklingen
Von Geschlechte zu Geschlecht:
|: Deutschland, Deutschland über alles
Und im Unglück nun erst recht. :|

[edit] Approximate translation (1921)

Germany, Germany above all,
and during disaster more than ever,
only in disaster can love show
whether it's strong and true;
And so shall the song continue
from generation to generation
|: Germany, Germany above all,
and during disaster more than ever.:|