National Anthem Comparison
Belgium vs Luxembourg
2
Shared themes
✗
Different moods
34
34 years apart
✓
Same continent
Comparison Analysis
Belgium and Luxembourg, both Europe nations, take distinct approaches to their national anthems. Belgium's "The Brabanconne" was written in 1830, while Luxembourg's "Our Homeland" dates to 1864.
Both anthems share themes of Freedom and Love of homeland. Belgium additionally explores Unity, Independence and Monarchy, while Luxembourg also touches on Nature and God / Faith.
The emotional tones differ: Belgium's anthem is Proud, while Luxembourg's is Hopeful.
Belgium's anthem predates Luxembourg's by 34 years, having been written in 1830 compared to 1864.
Belgium changed its national anthem in 1860, reflecting a shift in the nation's identity or political landscape.
Shared themes
Belgium
🕊 Freedom 🤝 Unity 🗽 Independence 👑 Monarchy ❤ Love of homeland
Luxembourg
🌿 Nature ❤ Love of homeland ✝ God / Faith 🕊 Freedom
Shared themes:
🕊 Freedom ❤ Love of homeland
Metadata
| Belgium | Luxembourg | |
|---|---|---|
| Written | 1830 | 1864 |
| Adopted | 1860 | 1895 |
| Lyricist | Charles Rogier | Michel Lentz |
| Composer | Francois van Campenhout | Jean-Antoine Zinnen |
| Language | fr | lb |
| Region | Western Europe | Western Europe |
Lyrics Side by Side
Belgium
La Brabanconne
Original
O Belgique, ô mère chérie,
A toi nos coeurs, à toi nos bras,
A toi notre sang, ô Patrie!
Nous le jurons tous, tu vivras!
Tu vivras toujours grande et belle
Et ton invincible unité
Aura pour devise immortelle:
Le Roi, la Loi, la Liberté!
Le Roi, la Loi, la Liberté!
Le Roi, la Loi, la Liberté!
Translation
O Belgium, o beloved mother,
To you our hearts, to you our arms,
To you our blood, o Fatherland!
We all swear it, you shall live!
You shall live forever great and beautiful
And your invincible unity
Shall have for its immortal motto:
The King, the Law, Liberty!
The King, the Law, Liberty!
The King, the Law, Liberty!
Luxembourg
Ons Heemecht
Original
Wou d'Uelzecht durech d'Wisen zéit,
Durech d'Fielsen d'Sauer brécht,
Wou d'Rief laanscht d'Musel dofteg bléit,
Den Himmel Wäin ons mécht:
Dat ass onst Land, fir dat mer géif
Heianzdo alles won,
Onst Heemechtsland, dat mir sou déif
An eisen Hierzer dron.
Onst Heemechtsland, dat mir sou déif
An eisen Hierzer dron.
O Du do uewen, deem séng Hand
Durech d'Welt d'Natioune leet,
Behitt Du d'Lëtzebuerger Land
Vru friemem Joch a Leed.
Du hues ons all als Kanner schon
De fräie Geescht jo ginn,
Looss viru blénken d'Fräiheetssonn,
Déi mir sou laang gesinn!
Looss viru blénken d'Fräiheetssonn,
Déi mir sou laang gesinn!
Translation
Where the Alzette flows through the meadows,
Where the Sauer breaks through the rocks,
Where the vine blooms fragrantly along the Moselle,
The sky gives us wine:
That is our land, for which we would give
Everything today,
Our homeland, which we carry so deeply
In our hearts.
Our homeland, which we carry so deeply
In our hearts.
O You above, whose hand
Leads the nations through the world,
Protect the Luxembourgish land
From foreign yoke and sorrow.
You gave us all as children
The free spirit,
Let the sun of freedom keep shining,
Which we have seen for so long!
Let the sun of freedom keep shining,
Which we have seen for so long!
Interesting facts
Belgium
- 1. A performance of the opera 'La Muette de Portici' at Brussels' Theatre de la Monnaie in August 1830 is credited with sparking the street riots that launched the Belgian Revolution.
- 2. The French, Dutch, and German versions of the anthem are not direct translations of each other; each is an independent lyrical adaptation with different wording.
- 3. Belgian law does not mandate playing the anthem at sporting events, so it is heard less frequently in daily life than in many other European countries.
Luxembourg
- 1. One of the few anthems written in Luxembourgish, a language spoken by fewer than 400,000 people worldwide
- 2. The anthem is entirely about nature and homeland, with no references to war, rulers, or religion
- 3. Luxembourg also has a royal anthem, 'De Wilhelmus,' used for ceremonies involving the Grand Duke
Listen
Belgium
Luxembourg
