National Anthem Comparison
United Kingdom vs Liechtenstein
3
Shared themes
✗
Different moods
105
105 years apart
✓
Same continent
United Kingdom
God Save the King
Comparison Analysis
United Kingdom and Liechtenstein, both Europe nations, take distinct approaches to their national anthems. United Kingdom's "God Save the King" was written in 1745, while Liechtenstein's "High Above the Young Rhine" dates to 1850.
Both anthems share themes of Monarchy, God / Faith and Love of homeland. United Kingdom additionally explores Hope, while Liechtenstein also touches on Nature and Unity.
The emotional tones differ: United Kingdom's anthem is Majestic, while Liechtenstein's is Prayerful.
United Kingdom's anthem predates Liechtenstein's by 105 years, having been written in 1745 compared to 1850.
Shared themes
United Kingdom
👑 Monarchy ✝ God / Faith ❤ Love of homeland 🌅 Hope
Liechtenstein
🌿 Nature ✝ God / Faith ❤ Love of homeland 👑 Monarchy 🤝 Unity
Shared themes:
👑 Monarchy ✝ God / Faith ❤ Love of homeland
Metadata
| United Kingdom | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Written | 1745 | 1850 |
| Adopted | 1745 | 1920 |
| Lyricist | Unknown (traditionally attributed to Henry Carey) | Jakob Josef Jauch |
| Composer | Unknown | Unknown (same melody as God Save the King) |
| Language | en | de |
| Region | Northern Europe | Western Europe |
Lyrics Side by Side
United Kingdom
God Save the King
Original
God save our gracious King,
Long live our noble King,
God save the King!
Send him victorious,
Happy and glorious,
Long to reign over us,
God save the King!
O Lord our God arise,
Scatter his enemies
And make them fall;
Confound their politics,
Frustrate their knavish tricks,
On Thee our hopes we fix,
God save us all!
Thy choicest gifts in store
On him be pleased to pour,
Long may he reign!
May he defend our laws,
And ever give us cause
To sing with heart and voice,
God save the King!
Not in this land alone,
But be God's mercies known,
From shore to shore!
Lord make the nations see,
That men should brothers be,
And form one family,
The wide world o'er.
Translation
God save our gracious King,
Long live our noble King,
God save the King!
Send him victorious,
Happy and glorious,
Long to reign over us,
God save the King!
O Lord our God arise,
Scatter his enemies
And make them fall;
Confound their politics,
Frustrate their knavish tricks,
On Thee our hopes we fix,
God save us all!
Thy choicest gifts in store
On him be pleased to pour,
Long may he reign!
May he defend our laws,
And ever give us cause
To sing with heart and voice,
God save the King!
Not in this land alone,
But be God's mercies known,
From shore to shore!
Lord make the nations see,
That men should brothers be,
And form one family,
The wide world o'er.
Liechtenstein
Oben am jungen Rhein
Original
Oben am jungen Rhein
Lehnet sich Liechtenstein
An Alpenhöh'n.
Dies liebe Heimatland,
Das teure Vaterland,
Hat Gottes weise Hand
Für uns erseh'n.
Hoch lebe Liechtenstein,
Blühend am jungen Rhein,
Glücklich und treu.
Hoch leb' der Fürst vom Land,
Hoch leb' das Vaterland!
Durch Bruderliebe treu
In sich vereint.
Hoch lebe Liechtenstein,
Blühend am jungen Rhein,
Glücklich und treu.
Hoch leb' der Fürst vom Land,
Hoch leb' das Vaterland!
Durch Bruderliebe treu
In sich vereint.
Translation
Up above the young Rhine
Liechtenstein rests
On Alpine heights.
This dear homeland,
The precious fatherland,
God's wise hand
Has chosen for us.
Long live Liechtenstein,
Blossoming on the young Rhine,
Happy and true.
Long live the Prince of the land,
Long live the fatherland!
Through brotherly love, truly
United within.
Long live Liechtenstein,
Blossoming on the young Rhine,
Happy and true.
Long live the Prince of the land,
Long live the fatherland!
Through brotherly love, truly
United within.
Interesting facts
United Kingdom
- 1. The melody has been used by over 20 countries for their anthems, including Germany (before 'Deutschlandlied'), Russia (under the Tsars), and the United States ('My Country, 'Tis of Thee')
- 2. There is a rarely performed verse that calls for crushing rebellious Scots, which is diplomatically omitted at official events
- 3. After Queen Elizabeth II's death in 2022, the lyrics changed from 'Queen' to 'King' for the first time in over 70 years, requiring updated recordings across the Commonwealth
Liechtenstein
- 1. Uses the same melody as the British 'God Save the King,' making it one of several anthems worldwide sharing this tune
- 2. Liechtenstein is one of the smallest countries in the world, and its anthem celebrates its alpine landscape
- 3. The author Jakob Josef Jauch was a Roman Catholic priest who wrote the text as a patriotic hymn for the principality
Listen
United Kingdom
Liechtenstein
