National anthem

(Deutsche Nationalhymne)

As other countries Germany also has a national anthem, which is played on offical occasions. Below you can listen to it and find some information about the German "Nationalhymne".

It is the "Song of the Germans". In German it's called "Das Lied der Deutschen".

The gentleman on the foto is the lyricist of this song: Heinrich Hoffmann von Fallersleben (1798 - 1874). He wrote the lyrics in August 1841. The melody is based on a composition from Joseph Haydn (lived from 1732 - 1809) written in 1796.

The first social democratic government introduced this song as the national anthem on 11 August 1922. Today Germans only sing the third verse at offical occasions.

Lyrics (third verse only)

German:

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!

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!