Deutschösterreich, du herrliches Land

Deutschösterreich, du herrliches Land

English: German Austria, you wonderful country
Former national anthem of Austria
Also known as	Österreich, du herrliches Land (English: Austria, you wonderful country)
Lyrics	Karl Renner
Music	Wilhelm Kienzl
Adopted	1920
Relinquished	1929[1]
Succeeded by	Sei gesegnet ohne Ende
Audio sample
Digital insturmental version file help

"Deutschösterreich, du herrliches Land" (German for "German Austria, you wonderful country") was the national anthem of Austria from 1920 to 1929. Although it was used as the de facto national anthem, it did not enjoy any official status.

The text was written by Chancellor Karl Renner in 1920, while the melody was composed by Wilhelm Kienzl.

The Republic of German-Austria was formed in 1918 as the successor to the multinational Austro-Hungarian Empire in its predominantly German speaking part. The government and population was much in favour of a unification with Germany, the German nation-state that had been formed in 1871 but had excluded Austria. However, the victors of World War I demanded that Austria remained a separate country. In the Treaty of Versailles, there was a prohibition of unification. Under the provisions of the Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye (1919), German Austria had to change its name to simply Austria.

Lyrics

Deutschösterreich, du herrliches Land, wir lieben dich! Hoch von der Alm unterm Gletscherdom Stürzen die Wasser zum Donaustrom, Tränken im Hochland Hirten und Lämmer, Treiben am Absturz Mühlen und Hämmer, Grüßen viel Dörfer, viel Städte und ziehn Jauchzend zum Ziel, unserm einzigen Wien! Du herrliches Land, unser Heimatland, Wir lieben dich, wir schirmen dich. Deutschösterreich, du tüchtiges Volk, wir lieben dich! Hart ist dein Boden und karg dein Brot, Stark doch macht dich und klug die Not. Seelen, die gleich wie Berge beständig, Sinne, die gleich wie Wasser lebendig, Herzen so sonnig, mitteilsamer Gunst, Schaffen sich selber ihr Glück, ihre Kunst. Du tüchtiges Volk, unser Muttervolk, Wir lieben dich, wir schirmen dich. Deutschösterreich, du treusinnig Volk, wir lieben dich! Dienende Treu schuf dir Not und Reu, Sei uns in Freiheit dir selber treu! Gibt es ein Schlachtfeld rings in den Reichen, Wo deiner Söhne Knochen nicht bleichen? Endlich brachst du die Ketten entzwei, Diene dir selber, sei dein! Sei frei! Du treusinnig Volk, unser Duldervolk, Wir lieben dich, wir schirmen dich. Deutschösterreich, du Bergländerbund, wir lieben dich! Frei durch die Tat und vereint durch Wahl, Eins durch Geschick und durch Blut zumal. Einig auf ewig, Ostalpenlande! Treu unserm Volkstum, treu dem Verbande! Friede dem Freund, doch dem Feinde, der droht, Wehrhaften Trotz in Kampf und Not! Du Bergländerbund, unser Ostalpenbund, Wir lieben dich, wir schirmen dich.[2]

German-Austria, thou wonderful land, we love thee! High from the Alm under the glacier dome, The waters rush to the Danube River, They water in the highlands the shepherds and the lambs, They drive with a crash the mills and hammers, They greet many villages, many towns, and run Joyously towards their aim, our unique Vienna! Thou wonderful land, our home land, We love thee, we protect thee. German-Austria, thou doughty people, we love thee! Hard is thy soil and meagre thy bread, But hardship makes thee strong and smart. Souls like as mountains constant, Senses like as water lively, Hearts so sunny, full of benevolence, Create themselves their own happiness and art. Thou doughty people, our mother people, We love thee, we protect thee. German-Austria, thou faithful people, we love thee! Thy loyal service has brought thee hardship and remorse, Be to us in freedom, true to thyself! Is there any battlefield in the nations around Where the bones of thy sons do not bleach? Finally, thou hast broken thy chains in twain, Serve thyself, only thee! Be free! Thou faithful people, our enduring people, We love thee, we protect thee. German-Austria, thou league of mountain lands, we love thee! Free through deed and united by choice, One in fate and especially in blood. Forever united, the East Alpine Lands! True to our nation and true to the union! Peace to friends, but to the foe who threatens Defensive defiance in battle and hardship! Thou League of Mountain Lands, our East Alpine League, We love thee, we protect thee.

See also

• "Sei gesegnet ohne Ende"
• "Deutschlandlied"

References

1. "Österreich, ein Land ohne Hymne". Habsburger. Retrieved 2019-01-27.
2. "Deutsch-Österreich. Hymne". Peter Diem. Retrieved 2019-01-27. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.