National Anthem Comparison
Denmark vs Norway
3
Shared themes
✓
Same mood
40
40 years apart
✓
Same continent
Comparison Analysis
Denmark and Norway, both Europe nations, take distinct approaches to their national anthems. Denmark's "There Is a Lovely Land" was written in 1819, while Norway's "Yes, We Love This Country" dates to 1859.
Both anthems share themes of Nature, Love of homeland and Ancestors / Heritage.
Both anthems carry a Proud tone, creating a similar emotional register despite their geographic distance.
Denmark's anthem predates Norway's by 40 years, having been written in 1819 compared to 1859.
Shared themes
Denmark
🌿 Nature ❤ Love of homeland 🏺 Ancestors / Heritage
Norway
❤ Love of homeland 🌿 Nature 🏺 Ancestors / Heritage ✝ God / Faith ☮ Peace
Shared themes:
🌿 Nature ❤ Love of homeland 🏺 Ancestors / Heritage
Metadata
| Denmark | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Written | 1819 | 1859 |
| Adopted | 1835 | 1864 |
| Lyricist | Adam Oehlenschlager | Bjornstjerne Bjornson |
| Composer | Hans Ernst Kroyer | Rikard Nordraak |
| Language | da | nb |
| Region | Northern Europe | Northern Europe |
Lyrics Side by Side
Denmark
Der er et yndigt land
Original
Der er et yndigt land,
det står med brede bøge
nær salten østerstrand;
det bugter sig i bakke, dal,
det hedder gamle Danmark
og det er Frejas sal.
Der sad i fordums tid
de harniskklædte kæmper,
udhvilede fra strid;
så drog de frem til fjenders mén,
nu hvile deres bene
bag højens bautasten.
Det land endnu er skønt,
thi blå sig søen bælter,
og løvet står så grønt;
og ædle kvinder, skønne møer
og mænd og raske svende
bebo de danskes øer.
Vort gamle Danmark skal bestå,
så længe bøgen spejler
sin top i bølgen blå.
Translation
There is a lovely land,
it stands with broad beeches
near the salty eastern shore;
it winds itself in hills and valleys,
it is called old Denmark
and it is Freja's hall.
There sat in ancient times
the armour-clad warriors,
resting from battle;
then they marched forth to the enemies' harm,
now their bones rest
behind the mound's standing stones.
This land is still fair,
for the sea is blue around it,
and the foliage stands so green;
and noble women, fair maidens
and men and brave lads
inhabit the Danish isles.
Our old Denmark shall endure,
as long as the beech tree mirrors
its crown in the blue wave.
Norway
Ja, vi elsker dette landet
Original
Ja, vi elsker dette landet,
som det stiger frem,
furet, værbitt over vannet,
med de tusen hjem,
elsker, elsker det og tenker
på vår far og mor
og den saganatt som senker
drømme på vår jord.
Norske mann i hus og hytte,
takk din store Gud!
Landet ville han beskytte,
skjønt det mørkt så ud.
Alt, hva fedrene har kjempet,
mødrene har grett,
har den Herre stille lempet,
så vi vant vår rett.
Ja, vi elsker dette landet,
som det stiger frem,
furet, værbitt over vannet,
med de tusen hjem.
Og som fedres kamp har hevet
det av nød til seir,
også vi, når det blir krevet,
for dets fred slår leir.
Translation
Yes, we love this country,
as it rises forth,
rugged, weathered, above the sea,
with its thousand homes,
love it, love it, and think
of our father and mother
and the saga night that sends
dreams upon our earth.
Norwegian man in house and cabin,
thank your great God!
The country He wanted to protect,
though it looked dark.
All that our fathers fought for,
our mothers wept for,
the Lord has quietly granted,
so we won our right.
Yes, we love this country,
as it rises forth,
rugged, weathered, above the sea,
with its thousand homes.
And as our fathers' struggle raised
it from need to victory,
we too, when called upon,
shall pitch camp for its peace.
Interesting facts
Denmark
- 1. The royal anthem 'Kong Christian stod ved hojen mast' is typically played for military and royal occasions, while 'Der er et yndigt land' is used at civilian and sporting events, and Danes instinctively know which one fits each situation.
- 2. The melody was composed by Hans Ernst Kroyer in 1835, sixteen years after the lyrics were written, replacing an earlier tune that never gained popular acceptance.
- 3. Beech trees, celebrated in the anthem's opening line, are so central to Danish identity that Denmark's forests are roughly 70% beech, and the tree is the unofficial national symbol.
Norway
- 1. Composer Rikard Nordraak died of tuberculosis at just 23 years old, only a year after writing the melody; his cousin Edvard Grieg composed a famous funeral march in his honor.
- 2. Norway also has a popular second anthem, 'Nordmannen' (The Norseman), which is so well-loved that debates occasionally arise about which song should hold primary status.
- 3. The anthem has eight verses, but Norwegians typically only sing the first and last, with most citizens unable to recall the middle stanzas from memory.
Listen
Denmark
Norway
