Das Deutschlandlied

by August Heinrich Hoffmann von Fallersleben

Das Deutschlandlied by August Heinrich Hoffmann von Fallersleben, translated by Wikisource

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Das Deutschlandlied ("The Song of Germany", also known as Das Lied der Deutschen, "The Song of the Germans") has been used wholly or partially as the national anthem of Germany since 1922. Outside Germany it is sometimes known by the opening words and refrain of the first stanza, Deutschland über alles (Germany above all), but this has never been its title.

The music was written by Joseph Haydn in 1797 as an anthem for the birthday of the Austrian Emperor Francis II of the Holy Roman Empire. In 1841 the German linguist and poet August Heinrich Hoffmann von Fallersleben wrote the lyrics of "Das Lied der Deutschen" to Haydn's melody, lyrics that were considered revolutionary at the time.

The song was chosen for the national anthem of Germany in 1922, during the Weimar Republic. In 1952, West Germany adopted Deutschlandlied as its official national anthem, with only the third stanza sung on official occasions. Upon reunification in 1991, the third stanza only was confirmed as the national anthem.— Excerpted from Das Deutschlandlied on Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Germany, Germany above everything, August Heinrich Hoffmann von Fallersleben Joseph Haydn Deutschlandlied.jpg Deutschlandlied-novocals.ogg‎

Facsimile of Hoffmann von Fallersleben's manuscript of the Lied der Deutschen.

German lyrics	Approximate translation
First stanza
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! :|	Germany, Germany above everything, Above everything in the world, When, for protection and defence, it always takes a brotherly stand together. From the Meuse to the Neman, From the Adige to the Belt,  |: Germany, Germany above everything,   Above everything in the world. :|
Second stanza
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! :|	German women, German loyalty, German wine and German songs Shall retain in the world Their old beautiful Chime And inspire us to noble deeds During all of our life.  |: German women, German loyalty,   German wine and German song! :|
Third stanza (Germany's 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. :|	Unity and justice and freedom For the German fatherland! For these let us all strive Brotherly with heart and hand! Unity and justice and freedom Are the pledge of fortune;  |: Flourish in this fortune's blessing,   Flourish, German fatherland. :|

This is a translation and has a separate copyright status from the original text. The license for the translation applies to this edition only.

Original:

This work published before January 1, 1923 is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.

Translation:

This work is licensed under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License.