National Anthem Comparison
Austria vs Switzerland
1
Shared themes
✗
Different moods
106
106 years apart
✓
Same continent
Comparison Analysis
Austria and Switzerland, both Europe nations, take distinct approaches to their national anthems. Austria's "Federal Hymn of the Republic of Austria" was written in 1947, while Switzerland's "Swiss Psalm" dates to 1841.
Both anthems share themes of Nature. Austria additionally explores Hope, Unity and Ancestors / Heritage, while Switzerland also touches on God / Faith and Freedom.
The emotional tones differ: Austria's anthem is Majestic, while Switzerland's is Prayerful.
Switzerland's anthem predates Austria's by 106 years, having been written in 1841 compared to 1947.
Austria changed its national anthem in 2012, reflecting a shift in the nation's identity or political landscape.
Shared themes
Austria
🌿 Nature 🌅 Hope 🤝 Unity 🏺 Ancestors / Heritage
Switzerland
✝ God / Faith 🌿 Nature 🕊 Freedom
Shared themes:
🌿 Nature
Metadata
| Austria | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Written | 1947 | 1841 |
| Adopted | 1947 | 1981 |
| Lyricist | Paula von Preradovic | Leonhard Widmer |
| Composer | Johann Holzer / Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (disputed) | Alberich Zwyssig |
| Language | de | de |
| Region | Western Europe | Western Europe |
Lyrics Side by Side
Austria
Bundeshymne der Republik Osterreich
Original
Land der Berge, Land am Strome,
Land der Äcker, Land der Dome,
Land der Hämmer, zukunftsreich!
Heimat großer Töchter und Söhne,
Volk, begnadet für das Schöne,
Vielgerühmtes Österreich,
Vielgerühmtes Österreich!
Heiß umfehdet, wild umstritten,
Liegst dem Erdteil du inmitten
Einem starken Herzen gleich.
Hast seit frühen Ahnentagen
Hoher Sendung Last getragen,
Vielgeprüftes Österreich,
Vielgeprüftes Österreich.
Mutig in die neuen Zeiten,
Frei und gläubig sieh uns schreiten,
Arbeitsfroh und hoffnungsreich.
Einig lass in Jubelchören,
Vaterland, dir Treue schwören,
Vielgeliebtes Österreich,
Vielgeliebtes Österreich.
Translation
Land of mountains, land by the river,
Land of fields, land of cathedrals,
Land of hammers, with a promising future!
Homeland of great daughters and sons,
A people blessed with beauty,
Much-praised Austria,
Much-praised Austria!
Hotly contested, fiercely disputed,
You lie at the heart of the continent
Like a strong heart.
Since the early days of our ancestors
You have borne the burden of a high mission,
Much-tested Austria,
Much-tested Austria.
Boldly into the new ages,
Free and faithful, see us striding,
Joyful in our work and full of hope.
United let us in jubilant chorus,
Fatherland, swear our loyalty to you,
Much-beloved Austria,
Much-beloved Austria.
Switzerland
Schweizerpsalm
Original
Trittst im Morgenrot daher,
Seh' ich dich im Strahlenmeer,
Dich, du Hocherhabener, Herrlicher!
Wenn der Alpenfirn sich rötet,
Betet, freie Schweizer, betet!
Eure fromme Seele ahnt
Eure fromme Seele ahnt
Gott im hehren Vaterland,
Gott, den Herrn, im hehren Vaterland.
Kommst im Abendglühn daher,
Find' ich dich im Sternenheer,
Dich, du Gütiger, Unendlicher!
Wenn der Alpenfirn sich rötet,
Betet, freie Schweizer, betet!
Eure fromme Seele ahnt
Eure fromme Seele ahnt
Gott im hehren Vaterland,
Gott, den Herrn, im hehren Vaterland.
Fährst im wilden Sturm daher,
Bist du selbst uns Hort und Wehr,
Du, allmächtig Waltender, Rettender!
In Gewitternacht und Grauen
Lasst uns kindlich ihm vertrauen!
Ja, die fromme Seele ahnt,
Ja, die fromme Seele ahnt
Gott im hehren Vaterland,
Gott, den Herrn, im hehren Vaterland.
Betet, freie Schweizer, betet!
Eure fromme Seele ahnt,
Eure fromme Seele ahnt
Gott im hehren Vaterland,
Gott, den Herrn, im hehren Vaterland.
Translation
When the morning rays light up the sky
And I see you in a sea of radiance,
You, most exalted, glorious one!
When the Alpine snow glows red,
Pray, free Swiss, pray!
Your pious soul senses
Your pious soul senses
God in the sublime Fatherland,
God, the Lord, in the sublime Fatherland.
When you come in the evening glow,
I find you in the host of stars,
You, benevolent, infinite one!
When the Alpine snow glows red,
Pray, free Swiss, pray!
Your pious soul senses
Your pious soul senses
God in the sublime Fatherland,
God, the Lord, in the sublime Fatherland.
When you ride in the wild storm,
You are our refuge and shield,
You, almighty, ruling, saving one!
In the thunderstorm night and dread,
Let us trust in Him as children!
Yes, the pious soul senses,
Yes, the pious soul senses
God in the sublime Fatherland,
God, the Lord, in the sublime Fatherland.
Pray, free Swiss, pray!
Your pious soul senses,
Your pious soul senses
God in the sublime Fatherland,
God, the Lord, in the sublime Fatherland.
Interesting facts
Austria
- 1. The melody is sometimes attributed to Mozart, as it resembles a Masonic cantata he composed, though most musicologists consider the attribution unproven.
- 2. Paula von Preradovic, who wrote the lyrics, was a Croatian-born poet who had only become an Austrian citizen through marriage, making her an unconventional choice for a national lyricist.
- 3. The far-right Freedom Party of Austria (FPO) opposed the 2012 gender-inclusive lyric change, and some party members continued singing the old version at official events in protest.
Switzerland
- 1. In 2015, the Swiss Psalm Society held a competition to create a more modern anthem, receiving over 200 entries; the winning entry was never officially adopted due to lack of political support.
- 2. Composer Alberich Zwyssig was a Cistercian monk, and the hymn-like quality of the melody reflects its origins in monastic choral tradition.
- 3. Surveys consistently show that most Swiss citizens cannot recite the anthem's lyrics from memory, partly because each language community learns a different version.
Listen
Austria
Switzerland
