Mein Waldeck
Mein Waldeck is a German patriotic song and was the anthem of the
History
Benjamin Christoph Friedrich Rose (1755–1818) wrote the tune for the poem "Unter dieser Eiche lasst euch nieder" by Philipp Ludwig Bunsen. In 1879, the melody became the unofficial anthem of Waldeck when Princess Emma of Waldeck and Pyrmont married King William III of the Netherlands, and an anthem was needed.[1]
In 1890, August Koch wrote the text of Mein Waldeck to the already existing tune. An anecdote says that Koch and some friends were lampooned during a festival because they were not able to sing a song that praises their native land. In the following weeks, Koch started to write such a song.[2]
Lyrics
Unter allen Landen deutscher Erde |
Among all lands on German soil, Waldeck , my beloved homeland.Until my last breath I will Loyally devote to it heart and hand. Refrain: My Waldeck cheers to thee, my Waldeck cheers to thee, My dear, beloved Waldeck, cheers to thee! See the land adorned with beautiful forests, When spring arrives with new splendour, When hills, valleys, meadows, fields Are green so far the eye can see. Refrain How mighty rustle on the heights, Oak and beech trees bravely resisting storm and wind. Deer and roe listen in the silent forest valley, Where the source gives birth to the clear stream. Refrain True Germans live in Waldeck’s places, Saxonian and Franconian shake hands. Prince and people firmly trust each other, Love and loyalty are their solid bonds. Refrain Black, Red, and Gold are the colours of my land, Dark night is followed by golden morning dawn. For all Germany Waldeck’s sons died, German loyalty preserving till their end. Refrain Be steadfast, o Waldeck, loyal to the German Empire, Firm like your high rock castle! Green and flourish like your most beautiful oak tree, Resistings storms whether from East or West. Refrain[3] |
See also
References
- ^ Otto Boehm: Die Volkshymnen aller Staaten des deutschen Reiches. Beiträge zu einer Geschichte über ihre Entstehung und Verbreitung, Wismar, 1901, quoted in Friedhelm Brusniak: „Unter dieser Eiche lasst euch nieder.“ Ein „Kunstlied im Volksmund“ aus Waldeck, Jahrbuch für Volksliedforschung, 43. (1998), p. 32.
- ISBN 3-9802152-7-X
- ^ "(Germany - former state) Waldeck and Pyrmont". National Anthem Downloads, Lyrics, and Information. November 11, 2004. Retrieved March 29, 2020.
Slightly modified English lyrics
External links
- Noten (PDF; 29 kB)
- Mein Waldeck on YouTube