National Anthem Comparison
Switzerland vs Germany
1
Shared themes
✗
Different moods
0
0 years apart
✓
Same continent
Germany
Deutschlandlied
Comparison Analysis
Switzerland and Germany, both Europe nations, take distinct approaches to their national anthems. Switzerland's "Swiss Psalm" was written in 1841, while Germany's "Deutschlandlied" dates to 1841.
Both anthems share themes of Freedom. Switzerland additionally explores God / Faith and Nature, while Germany also touches on Unity and Love of homeland.
The emotional tones differ: Switzerland's anthem is Prayerful, while Germany's is Solemn.
Switzerland changed its national anthem in 1981, reflecting a shift in the nation's identity or political landscape.
Shared themes
Switzerland
✝ God / Faith 🌿 Nature 🕊 Freedom
Germany
🤝 Unity 🕊 Freedom ❤ Love of homeland
Shared themes:
🕊 Freedom
Metadata
| Switzerland | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Written | 1841 | 1841 |
| Adopted | 1981 | 1922 |
| Lyricist | Leonhard Widmer | August Heinrich Hoffmann von Fallersleben |
| Composer | Alberich Zwyssig | Joseph Haydn |
| Language | de | de |
| Region | Western Europe | Western Europe |
Lyrics Side by Side
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.
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
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.
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
Switzerland
Germany
