What are the lyrics to the German national anthem, and did they change after World War II?
20 July 2023, 12:51 | Updated: 18 September 2023, 16:27
‘Deutschlandlied’, also known as ‘The Song of the Germans’, has been the national anthem of Germany since 1922. But what are the lyrics, and which verses are sung at sporting events?
The music to ‘Deutschlandlied’ was composed in 1797 by the great German classical composer, Joseph Haydn. Originally called ‘Gott erhalte Franz den Kaiser’, Haydn wrote the music to mark the birthday of Francis II, Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire and later of Austria.
The lyrics, which were attached to the music in 1841, were written by a German poet called Hoffmann von Fallersleben.
Only the third stanza of Fallersleben’s poem is now used as Germany’s official anthem.
Read more: The best national anthems in the world
Ursula von der Leyen greeted with German national anthem on visit with Danish minister in 2019
What are the lyrics to 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!
What do the lyrics mean in 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!
German national anthem, the most beautiful version.
Did the German National Anthem change after World War II?
When the Weimar Republic emerged after World War One, the country wanted to enhance its republican credentials – so they made ‘Deutschlandlied’ their national anthem.
West Germany adopted the anthem in the early 1950s for similar reasons, while the anthem in East Germany remained ‘Auferstanden aus Ruinen’ (‘Risen from Ruins’) from 1949 to 1990.
National Anthem of East Germany (1949-1990) - Auferstanden Aus Ruinen (Risen from Ruins)
When Germany reunified in 1990, the third stanza of ‘Deutschlandlied’ was confirmed as the national anthem.
The other verses, which include the lyrics ‘Deutschland, Deutschland über alles’ were dropped due to their association with Nazi Germany.
