Heil dir im Siegerkranz ("Hail to the Crown") was from 1871 to 1918 the national anthem of the German Empire.
The melody was the same as that of the British anthem God Save the King, and it was for this reason not well-regarded in nationalist circles. Prior to German unification in 1870, Heil dir im Siegerkranz had been the Prussian anthem. It was replaced as the national anthem by Das Lied der Deutschen during the Weimar Republic.
Another contemporary song which had the status of a national anthem was Die Wacht am Rhein (The Watch on the Rhine).
Lyrics
The lyrics were written by Heinrich Harries (1762–1802)
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!
2. Nicht Roß und Reisige
Sichern die steile Höh',
Wo Fürsten steh'n:
Liebe des Vaterlands,
Liebe des freien Manns
Gründen des Herrschers Thron
Wie Fels im Meer.
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!
4. Handlung und Wissenschaft
Heben mit Mut und Kraft
Ihr Haupt empor!
Krieger- und Heldenthat
Finden ihr Lorbeerblatt
Treu aufgehoben dort,
An deinem Thron!
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.
6. Sei, Kaiser Wilhelm, hier
Lang' deines Volkes Zier,
Der Menschheit Stolz!
Fühl' in des Thrones Glanz,
Die hohe Wonne ganz,
Liebling des Volkes zu sein!
Heil, Kaiser, dir!
Translation
1. Hail to thee in victor's crown,
Ruler of the fatherland!
Hail to thee, Kaiser!
Feel the throne's glow
The high ecstasy in full
Darling of thy people!
Hail to thee, Kaiser!
2. 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. 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. Commerce and intellect
Hoist with courage and strength
Thine chief aloft!
Warriors' and heroes' deeds
Gather thine laurel leaves
Loyally lift them there,
Upon thy throne!
5. Forever continue to bloom
Our bold flag waves
On the high seas!
Ha, why so proud and majestic
Casts over land and sea
Widely the German eagle
Its flaming gaze.
6. Be Kaiser Wilhelm here
Suffice as his people's ornament,
Humanity's pride!
Feel the throne's glow,
The high ecstasy in full
Darling of thy people!
Hail to thee, Kaiser!
See also
External links
