National Anthem Comparison
Germany vs France
1
Shared themes
✗
Different moods
49
49 years apart
✓
Same continent
Comparison Analysis
Germany and France, both Europe nations, take distinct approaches to their national anthems. Germany's "Deutschlandlied" was written in 1841, while France's "La Marseillaise" dates to 1792.
Both anthems share themes of Freedom. Germany additionally explores Unity and Love of homeland, while France also touches on Revolution and Battle / War.
The emotional tones differ: Germany's anthem is Solemn, while France's is Fierce.
France's anthem predates Germany's by 49 years, having been written in 1792 compared to 1841.
Germany changed its national anthem in 1952, reflecting a shift in the nation's identity or political landscape.
Shared themes
Germany
🤝 Unity 🕊 Freedom ❤ Love of homeland
France
🔥 Revolution ⚔ Battle / War 🕊 Freedom
Shared themes:
🕊 Freedom
Metadata
| Germany | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Written | 1841 | 1792 |
| Adopted | 1922 | 1795 |
| Lyricist | August Heinrich Hoffmann von Fallersleben | Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle |
| Composer | Joseph Haydn | Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle |
| Language | de | fr |
| Region | Western Europe | Western Europe |
Lyrics Side by Side
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!
France
La Marseillaise
Original
Allons enfants de la Patrie,
Le jour de gloire est arrivé !
Contre nous de la tyrannie,
L'étendard sanglant est levé,
L'étendard sanglant est levé !
Entendez-vous dans les campagnes
Mugir ces féroces soldats ?
Ils viennent jusque dans vos bras
Égorger vos fils, vos compagnes !
Aux armes, citoyens,
Formez vos bataillons,
Marchons, marchons !
Qu'un sang impur
Abreuve nos sillons !
Translation
Arise, children of the Fatherland,
The day of glory has arrived!
Against us, tyranny's
Bloody banner is raised.
Do you hear, in the countryside,
The roar of those ferocious soldiers?
They are coming right into your arms
To cut the throats of your sons and women!
To arms, citizens,
Form your battalions,
Let's march, let's march!
Let an impure blood
Water our furrows!
Interesting facts
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.
France
- 1. Rouget de Lisle was a royalist who nearly lost his head to the very revolution his song celebrated
- 2. Napoleon banned it during his empire, the Bourbons banned it again after his fall, and it was only permanently restored in 1879
- 3. The Beatles sampled the opening notes for the intro of 'All You Need Is Love,' broadcast to 400 million people worldwide in 1967
Listen
Germany
France
