National Anthem Comparison
Luxembourg vs Netherlands
2
Shared themes
✗
Different moods
287
287 years apart
✓
Same continent
Comparison Analysis
Luxembourg and Netherlands, both Europe nations, take distinct approaches to their national anthems. Luxembourg's "Our Homeland" was written in 1859, while Netherlands's "The William" dates to 1572.
Both anthems share themes of god / faith and freedom. Luxembourg additionally explores nature and love of homeland, while Netherlands also touches on monarchy, battle / war and resilience.
The emotional tones differ: Luxembourg's anthem is hopeful, while Netherlands's is solemn.
Netherlands's anthem predates Luxembourg's by 287 years, having been written in 1572 compared to 1859.
Shared themes
Luxembourg
🌿 Nature ❤ Love of homeland ✝ God / Faith 🕊 Freedom
Netherlands
✝ God / Faith 👑 Monarchy 🕊 Freedom ⚔ Battle / War 💪 Resilience
Shared themes:
✝ God / Faith 🕊 Freedom
Metadata
| Luxembourg | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Written | 1859 | 1572 |
| Adopted | 1895 | 1932 |
| Lyricist | Michel Lentz | Unknown (attributed to Philips of Marnix) |
| Composer | Jean-Antoine Zinnen | Unknown |
| Language | lb | nl |
| Region | Western Europe | Western Europe |
Lyrics Side by Side
Luxembourg
Ons Heemecht
Original
Wou d'Uelzecht durech d'Wisen zéit,
Duerch d'Fielsen d'Sauer brëcht.
Wou d'Rief laanscht d'Musel dofteg bléit,
Den Himmel Wäin ons mëcht.
Dat as onst Land, fir dat mir géif,
Heinidden alles won.
Onst Heemechtsland, dat mir sou déif
An onsen Hierzer dron,
Onst Heemechtsland, dat mir sou déif
An onsen Hierzer dron.
O Du do uewen, deem séng Hand
Duurch 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 gin.
Looss viru blénken d'Fräiheetssonn,
Déi mir sou laang gesin.
Looss viru blénken d'Fräiheetssonn,
Déi mir sou laang gesin!
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 risk
Everything here on earth,
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!
Netherlands
Het Wilhelmus
Original
Wilhelmus van Nassouwe
Ben ik, van Duitsen bloed,
Den vaderland getrouwe
Blijf ik tot in den dood.
Een Prinse van Oranje
Ben ik, vrij, onverveerd,
Den Koning van Hispanje
Heb ik altijd geëerd.
Mijn schild ende betrouwen
Zijt Gij, o God mijn Heer,
Op U zo wil ik bouwen,
Verlaat mij nimmermeer.
Dat ik doch vroom mag blijven,
Uw dienaar t'aller stond,
De tirannie verdrijven
Die mij mijn hart doorwondt.
Translation
William of Nassau
Am I, of German blood,
Faithful to the fatherland
I remain until death.
A Prince of Orange
Am I, free and fearless,
The King of Spain
I have always honoured.
My shield and my trust
Are You, O God my Lord,
On You I wish to build,
Never forsake me.
That I may remain devout,
Your servant at all times,
Driving out the tyranny
That wounds my heart.
Interesting facts
Luxembourg
- 1. Under the 1993 law, only the first and last stanzas of Lentz's poem form the national anthem
- 2. The first stanza names three rivers, the Alzette, the Sauer and the Moselle; the last is a prayer to the one 'above' who guides the nations, asking him to shield Luxembourg from a foreign yoke and to let the sun of freedom keep shining
- 3. Luxembourg also has a grand ducal anthem, 'De Wilhelmus', played when members of the Grand Ducal family arrive at or leave official ceremonies
Netherlands
- 1. The full anthem has 15 stanzas, but usually only the first is sung, sometimes followed by the sixth.
- 2. The first letters of the 15 stanzas spell out "Willem van Nassov", an old spelling of William of Nassau.
- 3. The melody comes from a French Catholic soldier's song mocking the failed siege of Chartres by the Huguenot Prince of Condé in 1568, so the song of a Protestant revolt borrowed a tune written against a Protestant leader.
- 4. In the first stanza William declares that he has always honoured the King of Spain, the monarch whose rule the revolt was fighting.
- 5. Although it dates from the 16th century, it became the official national anthem only on 10 May 1932, by decision of the Council of Ministers, replacing "Wien Neêrlands Bloed", which had held that role since the early 19th century.
Listen
Luxembourg
Netherlands
