"Ons Heemecht" (formerly "Ons Hémecht", pronounced [ons ˈheːməɕt]; lit. 'Our Homeland') is the national anthem of Luxembourg. Written by Michel Lentz in 1859 and set to music by Jean Antoine Zinnen in 1864, it is performed at national celebrations, while the grand ducal anthem "De Wilhelmus" is performed at entrances or exits of members of the Grand Ducal Family.[1]
English: 'Our Homeland' | |
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National anthem of Luxembourg | |
Lyrics | Michel Lentz, 1859 |
Music | Jean Antoine Zinnen, 1864 |
Adopted | 1895 (de facto) 1993 (de jure) |
Audio sample | |
U.S. Navy Band instrumental rendition in B-flat major |
History
editLuxembourgish poet Michel Lentz wrote the poem Ons Heemecht in 1859, and it was set to music by Luxembourgish composer Jean Antoine Zinnen in 1864. The song was first performed in public in Ettelbruck, a town at the confluence of the Alzette and Sauer rivers (both of which are mentioned in the song), on 5 June 1864.[1][2]
"Ons Heemecht" competed for a while with "De Feierwon" , a song based on another poem by Lentz, for the status of the national anthem. The last line of the chorus of "De Feierwon" became the origin of Luxembourg's national motto.[2]
The first and last stanzas of "Ons Heemecht" were adopted as Luxembourg's national anthem on 17 June 1993, when it was added as one of the official national emblems, alongside the national flag, the national coat of arms and the Grand Duke's Official Birthday.[3]
Lyrics
editThe official version is only composed of the first and last stanzas.[4]
Luxembourgish original[5][6] | IPA transcription[a] |
---|---|
Wou d'Uelzecht durech d'Wisen zéit, |
[vəʊ̯ ˈduəl.t͡səɕ ˈdu.ʀəɕ ˈdviː.zən t͡səɪ̯t |] |
English translation[h] | German translation[i] | French translation[j] |
---|---|---|
Where the Alzette slowly flows, |
Wo die Alzette durch die Wiesen zieht, |
Où l'Alzette arrose champs et prés |
Notes
edit- ^ See Help:IPA/Luxembourgish, Luxembourgish phonology and Luxembourgish § Alphabet.
- ^ Occasionally written mer [mɐ],[7][8] the corresponding unstressed pronoun.
- ^ Occasionally written so [zo].[7][8]
- ^ Sometimes written Der Ierd, déi ons gedron [dɐ iːɐ̯t dəɪ̯ ons gə.dʀon].[9]
- ^ Sometimes written Broscht.[9][10]
- ^ Sometimes written d'Heemecht.[10]
- ^ Sometimes written ons.[9]
- ^ Adapted from a translation by Nicholas Weydert.
- ^ Adapted from a translation by Joseph Groben.
- ^ Adapted from a translation by Jean-Claude Muller.
References
edit- ^ a b c d "Knowledge Bites: Ons Heemecht and De Wilhelmus – Luxembourg's Anthems". RTL Today. Retrieved 2022-02-02.
- ^ a b "Record attempt planned to celebrate Luxembourg national anthem's 150 anniversary". Luxembourg Times. 2017-12-11. Retrieved 2022-02-02.
- ^ "The National Day: Celebrations of the Grand Duke's birthday | Cour grand-ducale". Grand Ducal Court of Luxembourg. Retrieved 2022-02-02.
- ^ "National anthem". luxembourg.public.lu. Retrieved 2022-02-02.
- ^ Lëtzebuergesch fir 4C a 4G (PDF). Government of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. 2022-01-27. p. 3 (4 in file). ISBN 978-99959-1-423-3. Retrieved 2022-02-02.
- ^ Hoffmann, Fernand (1964). Geschichte der Luxemburger Mundartdichtung: Bd. Von den Anfängen bis zu Michel Rodange (in Luxembourgish). Bourg-Bourger. p. 283.
- ^ a b Gonner, Nicholas (1879). Onserer lider a gedichter an onserer Letzeburger - deitscher sproch (in Luxembourgish). Luxemburger gazette. p. 5.
- ^ a b Schurdel, Harry D. (2006). Nationalhymnen der Welt: Entstehung und Gehalt (in German). Atlantis Musikbuch-Verlag. p. 134. ISBN 978-3-254-08221-3.
- ^ a b c "Kropemann-Info Nummer 59" (PDF). www.redange.lu. June 2006. p. 1. Retrieved 2022-02-02.
- ^ a b "Ons Heemecht". Associatioun 1928 Lëtzebuerger Patrioten. Retrieved 2022-02-02.
- ^ a b "National symbols". luxembourg.public.lu. Retrieved 2022-02-03.
- ^ a b c d e f Voila Luxembourg (in French). Editions Guy Binsfeld. 1993. p. 45.
- ^ a b "Ons Hémécht". Embassy of Luxembourg in Moscow. Retrieved 2022-02-02.
External links
edit- Details, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg (archive link)