17-⍟
✠ "Heil dir im Siegerkranz" "Hail to Thee in the Victor's Crown", was the official national anthem of the German Empire from 1871 to 1918.
Before the foundation of the Empire, it had been the royal anthem of Prussia since 1795 and remained it after 1871. The melody of the hymn derived from the British anthem "God Save the King". 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. After World War I, the German Empire came to an end and "Das Lied der Deutschen" became the national anthem of the Weimar Republic. ✠
Lyrics:
German English
Heil dir im Siegerkranz, - Hail to thee in the Victor's Wreath,
Herrscher des Vaterlands! - Ruler of the fatherland!
Heil, Kaiser, dir! - Hail to thee, emperor!
Fühl' in des Thrones Glanz - Feel by the splendor of the throne
Die hohe Wonne ganz, - The greatest joy fully
Liebling des Volks zu sein! - To be the favorite of the people!
Heil Kaiser, dir! - Hail to thee, emperor!
Nicht Roß nicht Reisige - Neither steed nor knight
Sichern die steile Höh', - Can secure the towering height,
Wo Fürsten steh'n: - Where princes stand:
Liebe des Vaterlands, - The Love of the fatherland,
Liebe des freien Manns - The Love of the free man,
Gründen des Herrschers Thron - Found the sovereign's throne
Wie Fels im Meer. - Like a rock in the sea.
Heilige Flamme, glüh', Holy flame, glow,
Glüh' und erlösche nie Glow and never go out
Fürs Vaterland! For the fatherland!
Wir alle stehen dann We will all stand together
Mutig für einen Mann, Courageously for one man
Kämpfen und bluten gern Fight and bleed with joy
Für Thron und Reich! For throne and empire!
Handlung und Wissenschaft - Trade and sciences
Hebe mit Mut und Kraft - May lift with courage and strength
Ihr Haupt empor! - Their heads upwards!
Krieger und Heldenthat - Warriors and heroes deeds
Finde ihr Lorbeerblatt - May find their laurels of fame
Treu aufgehoben dort, - Faithfully preserved there
An deinem Thron! - At thy throne!
Sei, Kaiser Wilhelm, hier - Be, Kaiser Wilhelm, here
Lang deines Volkes Zier, - Thy people's ornament for a long time,
Der Menschheit Stolz! - The pride of mankind!
Fühl' in des Thrones Glanz, - Feel by the splendor of the throne
Die hohe Wonne ganz, - The greatest joy fully
Liebling des Volks zu sein! - To be the favorite of the People!
Heil, Kaiser, dir! - Hail to thee, emperor!
