The national anthem of Switzerland is called: « Swiss Psalm ».
Continent: Europe
Bordering Countries:
– 🇦🇹 Austria
– 🇫🇷 France
– 🇩🇪 Germany
– 🇮🇹 Italy
History of « Swiss Psalm »
« Swiss Psalm » (German: « Schweizerpsalm », French: « Cantique Suisse », Italian: « Salmo Svizzero », Romansh: « Psalm Svizzer ») is the national anthem of Switzerland. The anthem reflects the country’s natural beauty and the Swiss people’s devotion to their homeland and faith.
Key Dates and People
- 1841: The lyrics of « Swiss Psalm » were written by Leonhard Widmer, a Swiss poet. The music was composed by Alberich Zwyssig, a Swiss monk and composer.
- 1961: The Swiss Federal Council provisionally adopted « Swiss Psalm » as the national anthem.
- 1981: « Swiss Psalm » was officially declared the national anthem of Switzerland by the Swiss Federal Council.
Anecdotes
- Multiple Languages: Reflecting Switzerland’s linguistic diversity, « Swiss Psalm » has official versions in the country’s four national languages: German, French, Italian, and Romansh. This inclusivity underscores the anthem’s role in uniting the Swiss people.
- Competition for a New Anthem: In 2014, the Swiss government launched a competition to find a new national anthem. Despite various entries, « Swiss Psalm » remains the official anthem, demonstrating its enduring significance.
- Natural Imagery: The anthem is known for its vivid imagery of Switzerland’s natural landscapes, including mountains, lakes, and skies. This focus on nature highlights the Swiss people’s deep connection to their environment.
Full Lyrics
In 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
Tritt 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
Lass uns kindlich ihm vertrauen!
Ja, die fromme Seele ahnt,
Ja, die fromme Seele ahnt,
Gott im hehren Vaterland,
Gott, den Herrn, im hehren Vaterland.In English (Translation)
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, free Swiss, pray,
For you feel and understand,
For you feel and understand,
That He dwelleth in this land,
That He the Lord dwelleth in this land.
In the sunset Thou art nigh
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,
For we feel and understand,
That Thou dwellest in this land,
That Thou, O Lord, 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,
Then we'll feel and understand,
That Thou dwellest in this land,
That Thou, O Lord, dwellest in this land.
Towards us in the storm Thou'lt come,
We feel safe in Thy strong arm,
Thou, our stronghold and salvation.
In the wild and stormy weather
We will trust in God, our Father,
And we'll feel and understand,
And we'll feel and understand,
That Thou dwellest in this land,
That Thou, O Lord, dwellest in this land.Sources: