Deutschösterreich, du herrliches Land

"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 national anthem, it did not enjoy any official status. It is now used as the anthem of the President and the military due to its references to defend the Austrian homeland.

Deutschösterreich, du herrliches Land

English: German Austria, you wonderful country
National anthem of Austria Anthem of Austrian Armed Forces Anthem of the President of Austria
Also known as	"Österreich, du herrliches Land" (English: "Austria, you wonderful country"; as the anthem of the Austrian Armed Forces and the President of Austria)
Lyrics	Karl Renner
Music	Wilhelm Kienzl
Adopted	1920
Relinquished	1929

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.

German-Austria, thou art wonderful, we love thee! High from the Alps' dome-like glaciers Waters rush to the Danube Where they water lambs and shepherds in the highlands, Drive mills and hammers at hillslopes and Greet many villages and towns, and run Joyously towards their destiny, our unique Vienna! Thou'rt a wonderful land, our native land, We love and protect thee. German-Austria, thy people is brave, we love thee! Thy soil is hard and meagre thy bread, But hardship makes thee strong and bright. Souls that are firm like mountains, Minds that are agile like water, Hearts so radiant, full of benevolence Create their own happiness and art. Thou brave people, our native people, We love and protect thee. German-Austria, thy people is faithful, we love thee! Thy serving loyalty has brought you misery and remorse, Be now, in freedom, loyal to thyself! Is there a battlefield in our neighbouring countries Where the bones of thy sons do not bleach? Finally, thou hast broken thy chains, Serve thyself, only thyself! Be free! Thou faithful people, our bearing people, We love and protect thee. German-Austria, federation of alpine lands, we love thee! Free through deed, united through election, One through fate and above all through blood. Forever united, countries in the eastern Alps! Loyal to our nation and loyal to the union! Peace to our friends but to all foes who menace us Defensive persistence in battle and misery! Federation of alpine lands, union of the eastern Alps, We love and protect thee.

See also

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