"" (formerly "", ; ) is the national anthem of Luxembourg. Written by Michel Lentz in 1859 and set to music by Jean Antoine Zinnen in 1864, it is performed at national celebrations, while the grand ducal anthem "De Wilhelmus" is performed at entrances or exits of members of the Grand Ducal Family.
History Luxembourgish poet Michel Lentz wrote the poem Ons Heemecht in 1859, and it was set to music by Luxembourgish composer Jean Antoine Zinnen in 1864. The song was first performed in public in Ettelbruck, a town at the confluence of the Alzette and Sauer rivers (both of which are mentioned in the song), on 5 June 1864.
"Ons Heemecht" competed for a while with , a song based on another poem by Lentz, for the status of the national anthem. The last line of the chorus of "De Feierwon" became the origin of Luxembourg's national motto.
The first and last stanzas of "Ons Heemecht" were adopted as Luxembourg's national anthem on 17 June 1993, when it was added as one of the official national emblems, alongside the national flag, the national coat of arms and the Grand Duke's Official Birthday.
Lyrics The official version is only composed of the first and last stanzas.
Luxembourgish originalIPA transcriptionEnglish translationGerman translationFrench translationWhere Alzette winds through meadows fair, Through rocky cliffs the Sauer flows, Where vineyards bloom along the Moselle, And heaven’s wine bestows. This is our land, for which we’d dare All things here down below, 𝄆 Our homeland, dear, so deeply loved, Within our hearts we know. 𝄇
Within her shady forest ring, By peaceful watch kept still, Without display or gilded gleam, She smiles with gentle will; Her people happy in their hearts, No empty dreams they know: 𝄆 How sweetly life is lived therein, How good it is to go. 𝄇
From hill to dale, the songs resound, The earth that gave us birth; Love echoes true in every breast, A loyal, faithful mirth; For homeland, none can sing too fair, Each word that speaks her name 𝄆 Touches our souls like heavenly stones, And sparks our eyes like flame. 𝄇
O Thou on high, whose mighty hand Guides nations near and far, Protect our Luxembourgish land From foreign yoke and war; Give unto us, as once of old, The spirit of the free; 𝄆 Let liberty’s bright, glorious sun Shine ever o’er our plea. 𝄇
Notes
References
External links
Details, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg (archive link)