Elsässisches Fahnenlied
Encyclopedia
The Elsässisches Fahnenlied ("The Alsatian Flag's song") was written by Emil Woerth (1870-1926) in German
when Alsace
was part of the German Empire
(1871-1918). It was adopted as the official anthem
of Alsace in the same year, in 1911.
After World War I
the short-lived Independent Republic of Alsace-Lorraine
was annexed by France in late 1918.
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
when Alsace
Alsace
Alsace is the fifth-smallest of the 27 regions of France in land area , and the smallest in metropolitan France. It is also the seventh-most densely populated region in France and third most densely populated region in metropolitan France, with ca. 220 inhabitants per km²...
was part of the German Empire
German Empire
The German Empire refers to Germany during the "Second Reich" period from the unification of Germany and proclamation of Wilhelm I as German Emperor on 18 January 1871, to 1918, when it became a federal republic after defeat in World War I and the abdication of the Emperor, Wilhelm II.The German...
(1871-1918). It was adopted as the official anthem
Anthem
The term anthem means either a specific form of Anglican church music , or more generally, a song of celebration, usually acting as a symbol for a distinct group of people, as in the term "national anthem" or "sports anthem".-Etymology:The word is derived from the Greek via Old English , a word...
of Alsace in the same year, in 1911.
After World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
the short-lived Independent Republic of Alsace-Lorraine
Republic of Alsace-Lorraine
November 1918 was the period of transition when the region of Alsace-Moselle passed from German to French sovereignty at the end of World War I...
was annexed by France in late 1918.
Lyrics
| German German language German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union.... lyrics | English |
|---|---|
| First stanza | |
Sei gegrüsst, du unsres Landes Zeichen Elsass Fahne flatternd froh im Wind Deine Farben, lieblich ohnen Gleichen Leuchten stets, wo wir versammelt sind |
Be greeted, token of our land Alsatian flag merrily flying in the wind Your hues, peerless and beloved Shall shine for ever where we are gathered. |
| Refrain | |
Weiß und Rot, Die Fahne sehen wir schweben! Bis zum Tod, Sind treu wir ihr ergeben! Weiß und Rot, Die Fahne sehen wir schweben! Bis zum Tod, Ihr treu ergeben! |
White and red, We shall see the flag flying! Till to death, We shall be truly wholehearted to it! White and red, We shall see the flag flying! Till to death, Wholeheartedly true to it! |
| Second stanza | |
Echt und recht, wie unsre Väter waren Wollen wir in Tat und Worten sein Unsre Art, wir wollen sie bewahren Auch in Zukunft makellos und rein. |
Heartfelt and right, like our fathers That is how we want to be in our deeds and talks We want to keep our behaviours Also in the hereafter, unblemished and clean. |
| Third stanza | |
Und ob Glück, ob Leid das Zeitgetriebe Jemals bringe unserm Elsassland Immer stehn wir in unentwegter Liebe Freudig wir zu ihm mit Herz und Hand |
And if time brings either luck or wretched end To our Alsatian land, We shall keep love for ever To it with heart and hand. |
| Fourth stanza | |
Lasst uns drum auf unsre Fahne schwören Brüder ihr vom Wasgau bis zum Rhein Niemals soll uns im fremder Hand betören Treu dem Elsass wollen stets wir sein |
Let us therefore swear on our flag, Brothers from Wasgau Vosges mountains For the department of France of the same name, see Vosges.The Vosges are a range of low mountains in eastern France, near its border with Germany. They extend along the west side of the Rhine valley in a northnortheast direction, mainly from Belfort to Saverne... to the Rhine We shall never be set in unknown hands We want to hold true to Alsace forever. |
External links
- Elsässisches Fahnenlied in mp3
- http://www.deutsche-schutzgebiete.de/reichsland_elsass-lothringen.htm
- http://emig.free.fr/ALSACE/Rot_un_Wiss.html