National Anthem Comparison
Austria vs Germany
1
Shared themes
✗
Different moods
106
106 years apart
✓
Same continent
Germany
Deutschlandlied
Comparison Analysis
Austria and Germany, both Europe nations, take distinct approaches to their national anthems. Austria's "Federal Hymn of the Republic of Austria" was written in 1947, while Germany's "Deutschlandlied" dates to 1841.
Both anthems share themes of Unity. Austria additionally explores Nature, Hope and Ancestors / Heritage, while Germany also touches on Freedom and Love of homeland.
The emotional tones differ: Austria's anthem is Majestic, while Germany's is Solemn.
Germany'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
Germany
🤝 Unity 🕊 Freedom ❤ Love of homeland
Shared themes:
🤝 Unity
Metadata
| Austria | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Written | 1947 | 1841 |
| Adopted | 1947 | 1922 |
| Lyricist | Paula von Preradovic | August Heinrich Hoffmann von Fallersleben |
| Composer | Johann Holzer / Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (disputed) | Joseph Haydn |
| 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.
Germany
Deutschlandlied
Original
Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit
Für das deutsche Vaterland!
Danach lasst uns alle streben
Brüderlich mit Herz und Hand!
Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit
Sind des Glückes Unterpfand;
Blüh im Glanze dieses Glückes,
Blühe, deutsches Vaterland!
Translation
Unity and justice and freedom
For the German Fatherland!
Let us all strive for this
Brotherly with heart and hand!
Unity and justice and freedom
Are the pledge of happiness;
Flourish in the splendour of this happiness,
Flourish, German 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.
Germany
- 1. Haydn's melody is also used in his String Quartet Op. 76 No. 3, known as the 'Emperor Quartet,' which is considered one of the greatest chamber music works ever written.
- 2. The same melody served as the Austrian imperial anthem until 1918, meaning Germany and Austria shared the same tune for decades, sometimes causing confusion at international events.
- 3. In 2017, a German politician proposed swapping the word 'fatherland' (Vaterland) for 'homeland' (Heimatland) to make the anthem more gender-neutral, sparking a fierce national debate.
Listen
Austria
Germany
