Oben am jungen Rhein
Encyclopedia
Oben am jungen Rhein sung to the same tune as God Save the Queen
, has been the national anthem
of Liechtenstein
since 1963, when the lyrics were altered (the first line had been Oben am deutschen Rhein).
The original lyrics had been written in 1850 by Swiss pastor Jakob Josef Jauch (1802–1859), in a time when the Principality of Liechtenstein, which is considered the last remnant of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation, was a member of the German Confederation
. About a decade earlier, French claims to the left bank of the Rhine (Rhine Crisis of 1840) had triggered a series of German Rhine songs of which Die Wacht am Rhein
is the most famous.
Jauch's lyrics were adopted in 1920 as national anthem. In 1963, the anthem was shortened, and references to German
and Germany
were removed: am deutschen Rhein (on the German Rhine) became am jungen Rhein (on the young Rhine), and im deutschen Vaterland (in the German fatherland) became das teure Vaterland (the precious fatherland). The second original stanza, containing Auf Deutschlands Wacht (on guard for Germany) was, like the third and fourth, discontinued altogether.
Until 1963 the anthem's text was:
God Save the Queen
"God Save the Queen" is an anthem used in a number of Commonwealth realms and British Crown Dependencies. The words of the song, like its title, are adapted to the gender of the current monarch, with "King" replacing "Queen", "he" replacing "she", and so forth, when a king reigns...
, has been the national anthem
National anthem
A national anthem is a generally patriotic musical composition that evokes and eulogizes the history, traditions and struggles of its people, recognized either by a nation's government as the official national song, or by convention through use by the people.- History :Anthems rose to prominence...
of Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein
The Principality of Liechtenstein is a doubly landlocked alpine country in Central Europe, bordered by Switzerland to the west and south and by Austria to the east. Its area is just over , and it has an estimated population of 35,000. Its capital is Vaduz. The biggest town is Schaan...
since 1963, when the lyrics were altered (the first line had been Oben am deutschen Rhein).
The original lyrics had been written in 1850 by Swiss pastor Jakob Josef Jauch (1802–1859), in a time when the Principality of Liechtenstein, which is considered the last remnant of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation, was a member of the German Confederation
German Confederation
The German Confederation was the loose association of Central European states created by the Congress of Vienna in 1815 to coordinate the economies of separate German-speaking countries. It acted as a buffer between the powerful states of Austria and Prussia...
. About a decade earlier, French claims to the left bank of the Rhine (Rhine Crisis of 1840) had triggered a series of German Rhine songs of which Die Wacht am Rhein
Die Wacht am Rhein
"Die Wacht am Rhein" is a German patriotic anthem. The song's origins are rooted in historical conflicts with France, and it was particularly popular in Germany during the Franco-Prussian War and the First World War....
is the most famous.
Jauch's lyrics were adopted in 1920 as national anthem. In 1963, the anthem was shortened, and references to German
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
and Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
were removed: am deutschen Rhein (on the German Rhine) became am jungen Rhein (on the young Rhine), and im deutschen Vaterland (in the German fatherland) became das teure Vaterland (the precious fatherland). The second original stanza, containing Auf Deutschlands Wacht (on guard for Germany) was, like the third and fourth, discontinued altogether.
Text and English translation
| First stanza | |
|---|---|
Oben am jungen Rhein Lehnet sich Liechtenstein An Alpenhöh'n. Dies liebe Heimatland, Das teure Vaterland, Hat Gottes weise Hand Für uns erseh'n. |
Up above the young Rhine Lies Liechtenstein, resting On Alpine heights. This beloved homeland, This dear fatherland Was chosen for us by God's wise hand. |
| Second stanza | |
Hoch lebe Liechtenstein Blühend am jungen Rhein, Glücklich und treu. Hoch leb' der Fürst vom Land, Hoch unser Vaterland, Durch Bruderliebe Band Vereint und frei. |
Long live Liechtenstein, Blossoming on the young Rhine, Fortunate and faithful! Long live the Prince of the Land, Long live our fatherland, Through bonds of brotherly love united and free! |
Until 1963 the anthem's text was:
| First stanza | |
|---|---|
Oben am deutschen Rhein Lehnet sich Liechtenstein An Alpenhöh'n. Dies liebe Heimatland Im deutschen Vaterland Hat Gottes weise Hand Für uns erseh'n. Wo einst St. Lucien Frieden nach Rhätien Hineingebracht. Dort an dem Grenzenstein Und längs dem jungen Rhein Steht furchtlos Liechtenstein Auf Deutschlands Wacht. Lieblich zur Sommerzeit Auf hoher Alpen Weid Schwebt Himmelsruh'. Wo frei die Gemse springt, Kühn sich der Adler schwingt, Der Senn das Ave singt Der Heimat zu. Von grünen Felsenhöh'n Freundlich ist es zu seh'n Mit einem Blick: Wie des Rheins Silberband Säumet das schöne Land Ein kleines Vaterland Vom stillen Glück. Hoch lebe Liechtenstein, Blühend am deutschen Rhein, Glücklich und treu. Hoch leb' der Fürst vom Land, Hoch unser Vaterland, Durch Bruderliebe Band Vereint und frei. |
Up by the German Rhine Liechtenstein rests Against alpine heights. This kind homeland In the German fatherland God's wise hand has chosen for us. Where once St Lucy Peace to Raetia Raetia Raetia was a province of the Roman Empire, named after the Rhaetian people. It was bounded on the west by the country of the Helvetii, on the east by Noricum, on the north by Vindelicia, on the west by Cisalpine Gaul and on south by Venetia et Histria... Had brought. There by the border stone And along the young Rhine Fearless stands Liechtenstein On guard for Germany. Lovely in the summer On the high Alps' meadows Floats heavenly quietude. Where the chamois leaps freely, The eagle soars boldly, The herdsman sings the Ave For the home. From green rocky heights It is lovely to look at With one gaze: How the Rhine's silver band Hems the beautiful land A small fatherland Of silent bliss. Long live Liechtenstein Blossoming by the German Rhine Fortunate and faithful. Long live the Prince of the Land Long live our Fatherland Through bonds of brotherly love United and free! |
See also
- God Save The QueenGod Save the Queen"God Save the Queen" is an anthem used in a number of Commonwealth realms and British Crown Dependencies. The words of the song, like its title, are adapted to the gender of the current monarch, with "King" replacing "Queen", "he" replacing "she", and so forth, when a king reigns...
- Heil dir im SiegerkranzHeil dir im Siegerkranz"Heil dir im Siegerkranz" was from 1871 to 1918 the unofficial national anthem of the German Empire. Previously, it had been the anthem of Prussia, the melody of the hymn derived from the British anthem "God Save the Queen". For these reasons, the song failed to become popular within all of Germany...
- My Country, 'Tis of TheeMy Country, 'Tis of Thee"My Country, 'Tis of Thee", also known as "America", is an American patriotic song, whose lyrics were written by Samuel Francis Smith. The melody derived from Muzio Clementi's Symphony No. 3, and is shared with "God Save the Queen," used by many members of the Commonwealth of Nations...
- Rufst du, mein VaterlandRufst du, mein VaterlandRufst du, mein Vaterland is the former national anthem of Switzerland.It had semi-official status as the national anthem from the 1850s to 1961, when it was replaced by the Swiss Psalm....
- The Prayer of RussiansThe Prayer of RussiansThe Prayer of Russians was a song used as the national anthem of Imperial Russia from 1816 to 1833.After defeating the First French Empire, Tsar Alexander I of Russia recommended a national anthem for Russia...
External links
- Liechtenstein at a glance - The National Anthem - The Portal of the Principality of Liechtenstein has a page in English about the National Anthem, while the German version of the page has an MP3 instrumental file of the anthem.
- Himnuszok - A vocal version of the Anthem, featured in "Himnuszok" website.