Oben am jungen Rhein

Oben am jungen Rhein

English: Up above the young Rhine
"Junger Rhein", view from Triesenberg in Liechtenstein
National anthem of  Liechtenstein
Lyrics	Jakob Josef Jauch, 1850
Music	Melody to "God Save the Queen"
Adopted	1963 (1920)
Music sample
Oben am jungen Rhein (instrumental)

Oben am jungen Rhein ("Up above the young Rhine") has been the national anthem of Liechtenstein since 1920. It shares the same melody as the United Kingdom's national anthem, "God Save the Queen", the only difference being an additional refrain at the end of the song.

History

The original lyrics were written in 1850 by Swiss pastor Jakob Josef Jauch (1802–1859),^[1] at a time when the Principality of Liechtenstein, which is considered the last remnant of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation, was a member of the German Confederation. About a decade earlier, French claims to the left bank of the Rhine (Rhine Crisis of 1840) had triggered a series of German "Rhine songs" of which Die Wacht am Rhein is the most famous. Oben am jungen Rhein was a number of early national anthems with the same tune as God Save the Queen, but the only one that continues to use the tune.^[2][3] In 1963, the anthem was shortened, and references to Germany were removed.^[4]

Lyrics

German	English
1. Oben am jungen Rhein Lehnet sich Liechtenstein An Alpenhöh'n. Dies liebe Heimatland, Das teure Vaterland Hat Gottes weise Hand Für uns erseh'n.	1. Up above the young Rhine Lies Liechtenstein, resting On Alpine heights. This beloved homeland, This dear fatherland Was chosen for us By God's wise hand.
2. Hoch lebe Liechtenstein, Blühend am jungen Rhein, Glücklich und treu. Hoch leb' der Fürst vom Land, Hoch unser Vaterland, Durch Bruderliebe Band Vereint und frei.	2. Long live Liechtenstein, Blossoming on the young Rhine, Fortunate and faithful! Long live the Prince of the Land, Long live our fatherland, Through bonds of brotherly love United and free!

Until 1963 the anthem's text was:

German	English
1. Oben am deutschen Rhein Lehnet sich Liechtenstein An Alpenhöh'n. Dies liebe Heimatland Im deutschen Vaterland Hat Gottes weise Hand Für uns erseh'n.	1. Up above the German Rhine Lies Liechtenstein, resting On Alpine heights. This beloved homeland Within the German fatherland Was chosen for us By God's wise hand.
2. Wo einst St. Lucien Frieden nach Rhätien Hineingebracht. Dort an dem Grenzenstein Und längs dem jungen Rhein Steht furchtlos Liechtenstein Auf Deutschlands Wacht.	2. Where once St Lucius Brought peace to Raetia, There by the border stone And along the young Rhine Liechtenstein stands fearless On guard for Germany.
3. Lieblich zur Sommerzeit Auf hoher Alpen Weid Schwebt Himmelsruh'. Wo frei die Gämse springt, Kühn sich der Adler schwingt, Der Senn das Ave singt Der Heimat zu.	3. Lovely in the summer On the high Alps' meadows Floats heavenly quietude. Where the chamois leaps freely, The eagle soars boldly, The herdsman sings the Ave For the native land.
4. Von grünen Felsenhöh'n Freundlich ist es zu seh'n Mit einem Blick: Wie des Rheins Silberband Säumet das schöne Land, Ein kleines Vaterland, Vom stillen Glück.	4. From green rocky heights It is lovely to look at With one gaze: How the Rhine's silver band Hems the beautiful land A small fatherland Of silent bliss.
5. Hoch lebe Liechtenstein, Blühend am deutschen Rhein, Glücklich und treu. Hoch leb' der Fürst vom Land, Hoch unser Vaterland, Durch Bruderliebe Band Vereint und frei.	5. Long live Liechtenstein, Blossoming on the German Rhine, Fortunate and faithful! Long live the Prince of the Land, Long live our fatherland, Through bonds of brotherly love United and free!

See also

Other songs set to the same music

• "God Save The Queen"
• Heil dir im Siegerkranz
• Kongesangen
• "My Country, 'Tis of Thee"
• Rufst du, mein Vaterland
• "The Prayer of Russians"

References

1. "Up above the young Rhine (Oben am jungen Rhein)". Cantorian. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
2. Pound, Jeremy (16 February 2016). "Five intriguing national anthems". ClassicalMusic.com. Retrieved 15 September 2016.
3. "How many national anthems are plagiarised?". BBC News. 26 August 2015. Retrieved 15 September 2016.
4. "Liechtenstein". nationalanthems.info. Retrieved 26 January 2015.

External links

• Liechtenstein at a glance - The National Anthem - The Portal of the Principality of Liechtenstein has a page in English about the National Anthem, while the German version of the page has an MP3 instrumental file of the anthem.
• Streaming audio, lyrics and information for the Liechtenstein national anthem
• Himnuszok - A vocal version of the Anthem, featured in "Himnuszok" website.