Uploaded March 2023 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago

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Listen on Spotify: open.spotify.com/album/1sATMTiW1n00x5BWmX6nO6?si=losXjPR3Sdef8MqsSt2uIw
Apple Music: music.apple.com/us/album/historical-anthems-on-piano-germany/1705871485

Good day! This is a piano instrumental of "Heil dir im Siegerkranz," which was the national anthem of the German Empire from 1871 to 1918, as well as the royal anthem of Prussia from 1795 to 1918. The hymn was sung to the tune of "God Save the King," which made it less popular than the anthem that succeeded it (Deutschlandlied). During the Great War, German Composer Hugo Wilhelm Ludwig Kaun (1863-1932) composed an alternate tune for the anthem to remove its similarity with the British anthem. It is not clear that this version ever gained prominence.

The lyrics were written in 1790 by German Protestant pastor Heinrich Harries (1762-1802) in honor of King Christian VII of Denmark. Harries' lyrics were adapted in 1793 by Balthasar Gerhard Schumacher (1755-1805) for use in Prussia. The line "Heil, Kaiser, dir" was originally "Heil Christian, dir." Schumacher had replaced instances of "Christian" with "König" (king), for the king of Prussia. After the proclamation of the german empire, instances "König" were replaced by "Kaiser" (emperor).

The image in the background of the video is the third version of the painting titled "The Proclamation of the German Empire," by Anton Alexander von Werner (1843-1915).

Discord: discord.com/invite/SGMHeZ7

Lyrics and translation below:
Lyrics:
I.
Heil dir im Siegerkranz,
Herrscher des Vaterlands!
Heil, Kaiser, dir!
𝄆 Fühl in des Thrones Glanz
Die hohe Wonne ganz,
Liebling des Volks zu sein!
Heil Kaiser, dir! 𝄇

II.
Nicht Roß, nicht Reisige
Sichern die steile Höh’,
Wo Fürsten stehn:
𝄆 Liebe des Vaterlands,
Liebe des freien Manns
Gründen den Herrschers Thron
Wie Fels im Meer. 𝄇

III.
Heilige Flamme, glüh',
Glüh' und erlösche nie
Für's Vaterland!
𝄆 Wir alle stehen dann
Mutig für einen Mann,
Kämpfen und bluten gern
Für Thron und Reich! 𝄇

IV.
Handlung und Wissenschaft
Hebe mit Mut und Kraft
Ihr Haupt empor!
𝄆 Krieger und Heldenthat
Finde ihr Lorbeerblatt
Treu aufgehoben dort,
An deinem Thron! 𝄇

V.
Sei, Kaiser Wilhelm, hier
Lang deines Volkes Zier,
Der Menschheit Stolz!
𝄆 Fühl in des Thrones Glanz,
Die hohe Wonne ganz,
Liebling des Volks zu sein!
Heil, Kaiser, dir! 𝄇


English Translation:
I.
Hail to thee in the victor's wreath,
Ruler of the Fatherland!
Hail to thee, emperor!
𝄆 Feel in the throne's splendor
The high majesty in full
To be the people's beloved!
Hail to thee, emperor! 𝄇

II.
Neither steed nor mounted knight
Secure the towering height,
Where princes stand:
𝄆 Love of the Fatherland,
Love of the free man,
Secure the ruler's throne
Like crags at sea. 𝄇

III.
Holy flame, glow,
Glow and expire not,
For the Fatherland!
𝄆 Then we shall all stand
Valiant for one man,
Fighting and bleeding gladly
For Empire and Throne! 𝄇

IV.
Commerce and science
Hoist with courage and strength
Their head aloft!
𝄆 Warriors' and heroes' deeds
Find their laurel leaves
Faithfully preserved
Upon thy throne! 𝄇

V.
Be, Emperor William, here,
Long thy people's treasure,
Pride of mankind!
𝄆 Feel in the throne's splendor
The high majesty in full
To be the people's beloved!
Hail to thee, emperor! 𝄇