Heil dir im Siegerkranz

"Heil dir im Siegerkranz" (pronounced [ˈhaɪ̯l diːɐ̯ ʔɪm ˈziːɡɐkʁant͡s]; German for "Hail to Thee in the Victor's Crown", literally: "Hail to Thee in the Victor's Wreath") was the official national anthem of the German Empire from 1871 to 1918.[1]

Poster with Lyrics of Heil dir im Siegerkranz, 1900.
Flag of Germany (1867-1918).

History

Before the foundation of the Empire in 1871, 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 King". but it also was never recognized by the southern German states, such as Bavaria and 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]

Lyrics
Lyrics, 1843.

I. 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!𝄇

II. Nicht Roß und Reisige
Sichern die steile Höh’,
Wo Fürsten steh’n:
𝄆Liebe des Vaterlands,
Liebe des freien Manns
Gründen den Herrschers Thron
Wie Fels im Meer.𝄇

III. Heilige Flamme, glüh’,
Glüh’ und erlösche nie
Für’s Vaterland!
𝄆Wir alle stehen dann
Mutig für einen Mann,
Kämpfen und bluten gern
Für Thron und Reich!𝄇

IV. Handlung und Wissenschaft
Hebe mit Mut und Kraft
Ihr Haupt empor!
𝄆Krieger und Heldenthat
Finde ihr Lorbeerblatt
Treu aufgehoben dort,
An deinem Thron!𝄇

V. 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!𝄇[5]

I. Hail to thee in victor’s crown,
Ruler of the fatherland!
Hail, Emperor, to you.
𝄆Feel in the splendour of the throne
fully the highest joy:
To be the favourite of the people!
Hail, Emperor, to you.𝄇

II. Neither steed nor mounted knight
Can secure the towering height,
where princes stand:
𝄆Love of the fatherland,
Love of the free man
founds the sovereign’s throne
like a rock in the sea.𝄇

III. Holy flame, glow
glow and never extinct
for the fatherland!
𝄆We all will stand then
courageous for one man,
fight and bleed with joy
for throne and empire!𝄇

IV. Commerce and science,
may rise upwards their head
with courage and power!
𝄆Warrior and heroes’ deeds
may find their laurels of fame
faithfully preserved
on your throne!𝄇

V. Our emperor Wilhelm, is here,
a long time your people’s glory,
the pride of mankind!
𝄆Feel in the splendour of the throne
fully the highest joy:
To be the favourite of the people!
Hail, Emperor, to you.𝄇

References
  1. Fischer & Senkel 2010, p. 90.
  2. Fischer & Senkel 2010, p. 91.
  3. Fehrenbach, Elisabeth. Politischer Umbruch und gesellschaftliche Bewegung: ausgewählte Aufsätze zur Geschichte Frankreichs und Deutschlands im 19. Jahrhundert. Oldenburg, 1997. p. 312.
  4. Sternburg, Wilhelm von. Die Geschichte der Deutschen. p. 131.
  5. Song No. 50 in Allgemeines Deutsches Kommersbuch, p. 47
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