Oben am jungen Rhein

Oben am jungen Rhein

English: Up above the young Rhine
National anthem of  Liechtenstein
Lyrics	Jakob Josef Jauch, 1850
Music	Unknown
Adopted	1963 (1920)
Music sample
(instrumental)

"Junger Rhein", view from Triesenberg in Liechtenstein

Oben am jungen Rhein (Up above the young Rhine), sung to the same tune as God Save the Queen, has been the national anthem of Liechtenstein since 1963, when the lyrics were altered (the first line had been Oben am deutschen Rhein).

The original lyrics had been written in 1850 by Swiss pastor Jakob Josef Jauch (1802–1859), in a time when the Principality of Liechtenstein, which is considered the last remnant of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation, was a member of the German Confederation. About a decade earlier, French claims to the left bank of the Rhine (Rhine Crisis of 1840) had triggered a series of German Rhine songs of which Die Wacht am Rhein is the most famous.

Jauch's lyrics were adopted in 1920 as national anthem. In 1963, the anthem was shortened, and references to German and Germany were removed: am deutschen Rhein (on the German Rhine) became am jungen Rhein (on the young Rhine), and im deutschen Vaterland (in the German fatherland) became das teure Vaterland (the precious fatherland). The second original stanza, containing Auf Deutschlands Wacht (on guard for Germany) was, like the third and fourth, discontinued altogether.

Text and English translation

First stanza
Oben am jungen Rhein Lehnet sich Liechtenstein An Alpenhöh'n. Dies liebe Heimatland, Das teure Vaterland, Hat Gottes weise Hand Für uns erseh'n.	Up above the young Rhine Lies Liechtenstein, resting On Alpine heights. This beloved homeland, This dear fatherland Was chosen for us by God's wise hand.
Second stanza
Hoch lebe Liechtenstein Blühend am jungen Rhein, Glücklich und treu. Hoch leb' der Fürst vom Land, Hoch unser Vaterland, Durch Bruderliebe Band Vereint und frei.	Long live Liechtenstein, Blossoming on the young Rhine, Fortunate and faithful! Long live the Prince of the Land, Long live our fatherland, Through bonds of brotherly love united and free!

Until 1963 the anthem's text was:

First stanza

Oben am deutschen Rhein Lehnet sich Liechtenstein An Alpenhöh'n. Dies liebe Heimatland Im deutschen Vaterland Hat Gottes weise Hand Für uns erseh'n. Wo einst St. Lucien Frieden nach Rhätien Hineingebracht. Dort an dem Grenzenstein Und längs dem jungen Rhein Steht furchtlos Liechtenstein Auf Deutschlands Wacht. Lieblich zur Sommerzeit Auf hoher Alpen Weid Schwebt Himmelsruh'. Wo frei die Gemse springt, Kühn sich der Adler schwingt, Der Senn das Ave singt Der Heimat zu. Von grünen Felsenhöh'n Freundlich ist es zu seh'n Mit einem Blick: Wie des Rheins Silberband Säumet das schöne Land Ein kleines Vaterland Vom stillen Glück. Hoch lebe Liechtenstein, Blühend am deutschen Rhein, Glücklich und treu. Hoch leb' der Fürst vom Land, Hoch unser Vaterland, Durch Bruderliebe Band Vereint und frei.

Up by the German Rhine Liechtenstein rests Against alpine heights. This kind homeland In the German fatherland God's wise hand has chosen for us. Where once St Lucy Peace to Raetia Had brought. There by the border stone And along the young Rhine Fearless stands Liechtenstein On guard for Germany. Lovely in the summer On the high Alps' meadows Floats heavenly quietude. Where the chamois leaps freely, The eagle soars boldly, The herdsman sings the Ave For the home. From green rocky heights It is lovely to look at With one gaze: How the Rhine's silver band Hems the beautiful land A small fatherland Of silent bliss. Long live Liechtenstein Blossoming by the German Rhine Fortunate and faithful. Long live the Prince of the Land Long live our Fatherland Through bonds of brotherly love United and free!

See also

• God Save The Queen
• Heil dir im Siegerkranz
• My Country, 'Tis of Thee
• Rufst du, mein Vaterland
• The Prayer of Russians

External links

• Liechtenstein at a glance - The National Anthem - The Portal of the Principality of Liechtenstein has a page in English about the National Anthem, while the German version of the page has an MP3 instrumental file of the anthem.
• Himnuszok - A vocal version of the Anthem, featured in "Himnuszok" website.