Heil dir im Siegerkranz

"Heil dir im Siegerkranz"

Imperial anthem of  German Empire
Lyrics	Heinrich Harries, 1790
Music	Melody to God Save the Queen

"Heil dir im Siegerkranz" (German for "Hail to Thee in Victor's Crown") was from 1871 to 1918 the official national anthem of the German Empire.^[1] Before the foundation of the Empire, it had been the royal anthem of Prussia since 1795 and remained it after 1871.^[2] 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. Not only did it fail to win the support of most German nationalists, it was never recognized by the southern German states, such as Bavaria or Württemberg.^[3] After World War I, the German Empire came to an end and "Das Lied der Deutschen" became the national anthem of the Weimar Republic.^[4]

"Die Wacht am Rhein" ("The Watch on the Rhine") was also a patriotic hymn so popular that it was often regarded as an unofficial national anthem.^[5]

Lyrics

Heinrich Harries wrote the lyrics in 1790 in honour of King Christian VII of Denmark, and the line "Heil, Kaiser, dir" originally read "Heil, Christian, dir". In 1793, Harries' text was adapted by Balthasar Gerhard Schumacher for use in Prussia. Schumacher shortened Harries' text and replaced the word Christian with the word König (king). After the proclamation of the German Empire, the word König was replaced by Kaiser (emperor).^[6]

Heil dir im Siegerkranz
Verse	German	English
1.	Heil dir im Siegerkranz, Herrscher des Vaterlands! Heil, Kaiser, dir! Fühl in des Thrones Glanz Die hohe Wonne ganz, Liebling des Volks zu sein! Heil Kaiser, dir!	Hail to thee in victor's crown, Ruler of the fatherland! Hail to thee, emperor! Feel in the throne's splendor The high ecstasy in full To be darling of thy people! Hail to thee, emperor!
2.	Nicht Roß nicht Reisige Sichern die steile Höh', Wo Fürsten steh'n: Liebe des Vaterlands, Liebe des freien Manns Gründen den Herrscher Thron Wie Fels im Meer.	Neither steed nor mounted knight Secure the towering height, Where princes stand: Love of the fatherland, Love of the free man, Create the ruler's throne Like crags at sea.
3.	Heilige Flamme, glüh', Glüh' und erlösche nie Fürs Vaterland! Wir alle stehen dann Mutig für einen Mann, Kämpfen und bluten gern Für Thron und Reich!	Holy flame, glow, Glow and expire not For the fatherland! Then we all stand Valiant for one man Gladly fighting and bleeding For throne and empire!
4.	Handel und Wissenschaft Heben mit Mut und Kraft Ihr Haupt empor! Krieger- und Heldentat Finden ihr Lorbeerblatt Treu aufgehoben dort, An deinem Thron!	Commerce and science Hoist with courage and strength Their chief aloft. Warriors' and heroes' deeds Find their laurel leaves Faithfully preserved Upon thy throne!
5.	Dauernder stets zu blüh'n Weh' unsre Flagge kühn Auf hoher See! Ha, wie so stolz und hehr Wirft über Land und Meer Weithin der deutsche Aar Flammenden Blick.	Forever continuing to bloom Our flag may wave boldly On the high seas! Ha, how proud and majestic Casts over land and sea Widely the German eagle Its flaming gaze.
6.	Sei, Kaiser Wilhelm, hier Lang' deines Volkes Zier, Der Menschheit Stolz! Fühl' in des Thrones Glanz, Die hohe Wonne ganz, Liebling des Volks zu sein! Heil, Kaiser, dir!	Be, emperor Wilhelm, here Thy people's ornament for many a year Humanity's pride! Feel in the throne's splendor, The high ecstasy in full To be darling of thy people! Hail to thee, emperor!

These lyrics were used for the reign of Kaiser Wilhelm II, German Emperor and King of Prussia. One of the jokes at the time was that the song's title be changed to "Heil Dir im Sonderzug" ("Hail to Thee in Thy Royal Train"), owing to the Kaiser's frequent travels.

See also

• "Heil dir, Hannover"
• "My Country, 'Tis of Thee"
• "Oben am jungen Rhein": national anthem of Liechtenstein, sung to the melody of "God Save the King", too

References

1. Fischer, Michael. Christian Senkel. Klaus Tanner (ed.) Reichsgründung 1871: Ereignis, Beschreibung, Inszenierung. Waxmann Verlag GmbH: Münster, 2010. Page 90.
2. Fischer, Michael. Christian Senkel. Klaus Tanner (ed.) Reichsgründung 1871: Ereignis, Beschreibung, Inszenierung. Waxmann Verlag GmbH: Münster, 2010. Page 91.
3. Fehrenbach, Elisabeth. Politischer Umbruch und gesellschaftliche Bewegung: ausgewählte Aufsätze zur Geschichte Frankreichs und Deutschlands im 19. Jahrhundert. Oldenburg, 1997. Page 312.
4. Sternburg, Wilhelm von. Die Geschichte der Deutschen. Page 131.
5. Reichel, Peter. Schwarz-Rot-Gold: kleine Geschichte deutscher Nationalsymbole nach 1945. C. H. Beck: München, 2005. Page 35.
6. Fischer, Michael. Christian Senkel. Klaus Tanner (ed.) Reichsgründung 1871: Ereignis, Beschreibung, Inszenierung. Waxmann Verlag GmbH: Münster, 2010. Page 93.

External links

• Liedertafel
• Heil dir im Siegerkranz: Scores at the International Music Score Library Project