Netherlands National Anthem

Het Wilhelmus

The William

Written 1572

Adopted 1932

Lyrics Unknown (attributed to Philips of Marnix)

Music Unknown

✝ God / Faith 👑 Monarchy 🕊 Freedom ⚔ Battle / War 💪 Resilience | Solemn

Key Facts

1. The full anthem has 15 stanzas, but usually only the first is sung, sometimes followed by the sixth.
2. The first letters of the 15 stanzas spell out "Willem van Nassov", an old spelling of William of Nassau.
3. The melody comes from a French Catholic soldier's song mocking the failed siege of Chartres by the Huguenot Prince of Condé in 1568, so the song of a Protestant revolt borrowed a tune written against a Protestant leader.
4. In the first stanza William declares that he has always honoured the King of Spain, the monarch whose rule the revolt was fighting.
5. Although it dates from the 16th century, it became the official national anthem only on 10 May 1932, by decision of the Council of Ministers, replacing "Wien Neêrlands Bloed", which had held that role since the early 19th century.

Netherlands National Anthem Lyrics

The text shown here is an excerpt, not the complete poem or lyrics.

The first and sixth stanzas are most commonly sung at official events

Wilhelmus van Nassouwe Ben ik, van Duitsen bloed, Den vaderland getrouwe Blijf ik tot in den dood. Een Prinse van Oranje Ben ik, vrij, onverveerd, Den Koning van Hispanje Heb ik altijd geëerd. Mijn schild ende betrouwen Zijt Gij, o God mijn Heer, Op U zo wil ik bouwen, Verlaat mij nimmermeer. Dat ik doch vroom mag blijven, Uw dienaar t'aller stond, De tirannie verdrijven Die mij mijn hart doorwondt.

Translations are non-official and intended to convey meaning, not replace originals

Analysis

Editorial

Written between 1568 and 1572, early in the Dutch revolt against Spanish rule, Het Wilhelmus is often called the oldest national anthem still in use, because its words and melody have been sung together ever since; the words of Japan's anthem are older, though. It is written in the first person from the perspective of William of Orange (William the Silent), leader of the Dutch revolt.