SWISS HISTORY - The Swiss National Anthem

national anthem

I have to admit I only thought about the fact that Switzerland would have a National Anthem when I saw this great photo of the Migros website with details all about celebrating August 1st. I did a bit of googling and below I have inlcuded the anthem in both German and English. I can only hope that I do not need to learn this off by heart!

Swiss National Anthem

The Swiss national anthem has a unique history that reflects the unique nature of Switzerland itself. Switzerland may be an old country, but its current national anthem has only been official since 1981. Although the "Schweizer Nationalhymne" or "Landeshymne" was tentatively approved by the Swiss Nationalrat in 1961 and was in general use after 1965, the anthem did not actually become official for another 20 years (April 1, 1981). 

The anthem itself, originally known as the "Schweizerpsalm," is much older. In 1841 the priest and composer Alberik Zwyssig of Urn was asked to compose music for a patriotic poem written by his friend, Zurich music publisher Leonhard Widmer. He used a hymn that he had already composed, and adapted it for Widmer's words. The result was the "Schweizerpsalm," which soon became popular in parts of Switzerland. But some Swiss cantons, such as French-speaking Neuchatel, had their own anthems. The lyrics below are for the German version, but there are also French, Italian, and other versions.

(German)

Trittst im Morgenrot daher,
Seh' ich dich im Strahlenmeer,
Dich, du Hocherhabener, Herrlicher!
Wenn der Alpenfirn sich rötet,
Betet, freie Schweizer, betet.
Eure fromme Seele ahnt
Eure fromme Seele ahnt
Gott im hehren Vaterland!
Gott, den Herrn, im hehren Vaterland!

Kommst im Abendglühn daher,
Find' ich dich im Sternenheer,
Dich, du Menschenfreundlicher, Liebender!
In des Himmels lichten Räumen
Kann ich froh und selig träumen;
Denn die fromme Seele ahnt
Denn die fromme Seele ahnt
Gott im hehren Vaterland!
Gott, den Herrn, im hehren Vaterland!

Ziehst im Nebelflor daher,
Such' ich dich im Wolkenmeer,
Dich, du Unergründlicher, Ewiger!
Aus dem grauen Luftgebilde
Bricht die Sonne klar und milde,
Und die fromme Seele ahnt
Und die fromme Seele ahnt
Gott im hehren Vaterland!
Gott, den Herrn, im hehren Vaterland!

Fährst im wilden Sturm daher,
Bist du selbst uns Hort und Wehr,
Du, allmächtig Waltender, Rettender!
In Gewitternacht und Grauen
Laßt uns kindlich ihm vertrauen!
Ja, die fromme Seele ahnt
Ja, die fromme Seele ahnt

Gott im hehren Vaterland!

Gott, den Herrn, im hehren Vaterland!

(English)

When the morning skies grow red,

and over us their radiance shed

Thou, O Lord, appeareth in their light

when the alps glow bright with splendor,

pray to God, to Him surrender

for you feel and understand

that He dwelleth in this land.

 

In the sunset Thou art night

and beyond the starry sky

Thou, O loving father, ever near,

when to Heaven we are departing

joy and bliss Thou'lt be imparting

for we feel and understand

that Thou dwellest in this land.

 

When dark clouds enshroud the hills

and gray mist the valley fills

yet Thou art not hidden from thy sons

pierce the gloom in which we cower

with Thy sunshine's cleansing power

then we'll feel and understand

that God dwelleth in this land.