🇱🇺 Luxembourg

The national anthem of Luxembourg is called: « Ons Heemecht ».

Continent: Europe

Bordering Countries:
– 🇧🇪 Belgium
– 🇫🇷 France
– 🇩🇪 Germany

History of « Ons Heemecht »

« Ons Heemecht » (Our Homeland) is the national anthem of Luxembourg. The anthem reflects the country’s pride in its natural beauty, its sovereignty, and the unity of its people.

Key Dates and People

1859: The lyrics of « Ons Heemecht » were written by Michel Lentz, a Luxembourgish poet. The poem was inspired by the natural beauty and cultural heritage of Luxembourg.
1864: The music for the anthem was composed by Jean Antoine Zinnen, a Luxembourgish composer and conductor.
1895: « Ons Heemecht » was officially adopted as the national anthem of Luxembourg, becoming a symbol of national identity and pride.

Anecdotes

Cultural Renaissance: The anthem was written during a period of cultural renaissance in Luxembourg, when there was a growing sense of national identity and pride. Michel Lentz’s lyrics capture the beauty of the Luxembourgish landscape and the spirit of its people.
Two Anthems: Luxembourg is unique in having two national anthems. « Ons Heemecht » is the national anthem, while « De Wilhelmus » is the royal anthem, played in honor of the Grand Duke.
Cultural Significance: « Ons Heemecht » is performed at national celebrations, official ceremonies, and sporting events, reinforcing its role in uniting the Luxembourgish people and celebrating their heritage. The anthem’s solemn and reverent tone captures the resilience and spirit of the nation.

Lyrics Excerpt

In Luxembourgish

Wou d'Uelzécht durech d'Wisen zéit,
Duerch d'Fielsen d'Sauer brécht,
Wou d'Rief laanscht d'Musel dofteg bléit,
Den Himmel Wäin ons mécht:
Dat ass onst Land, fir dat mir géif
Hei d'Lescht vum Daasein dréien.
Ons Heemecht, dat mir sou déif
An onsen Hierzer léien,
Ons Heemecht, dat mir sou déif
An onsen Hierzer léien.

O Du do uewen, deem seng 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.

In English (translation)

Where the Alzette flows through the meadows,
Through the rocks the Sauer breaks,
Where the vine blooms along the Moselle,
The sky makes us wine:
That is our land, for which we would
Give the last breath of our life.
Our homeland, which we so deeply
Lay in our hearts,
Our homeland, which we so deeply
Lay in our hearts.

O Thou above, whose hand
Leads the nations through the world,
Protect the Luxembourgish land
From foreign yoke and suffering!
You have given us all as children
The free spirit;
Let the sun of freedom shine forth,
Which we have seen for so long,
Let the sun of freedom shine forth,
Which we have seen for so long.

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