De Wilhelmus

De Wilhelmus
English: The Wilhelmus
	Henri, Grand Duke of Luxembourg
	Grand ducal anthem of Luxembourg
Lyrics	Nik Welter, 1919
Music	Unknown, 16th century
Adopted	1919

"De Wilhelmus" (pronounced [də vilˈhælmus]; Luxembourgish for "The Wilhelmus") is the grand ducal anthem of Luxembourg. Lyrics for it were written in 1919 by Luxembourgish writer Nik Welter, although they are not often used in official performances. The anthem is performed whenever a member of the Grand Ducal Family enters or leaves an official ceremony, while the national anthem, "Ons Heemecht", is performed at national celebrations.^[1] The anthem can be and also was known by just "Wilhelmus" or "Wilhelmuslid" (The Wilhelmus song), but it has become custom to always write it with the Luxembourgish article "De", and the anthem of the Netherlands is generally written without the article or with the Dutch article "Het" in order to distinguish between the 2.

History

"De Wilhelmus" has a common origin with the Dutch national anthem, "Het Wilhelmus", which dates back to the 16th century, it is believed that the melody of this anthem is derived from "Het Wilhelmus", the origin of the melody being a cavalry trumphet version. Some also speculate that the melody might be a variant from the 7 variations of "Willem van Nassov" made by Mozart on "Het Wilhelmus". Luxembourg was in a personal union with the Netherlands and this melody, a non-native to Luxembourg, was introduced in 1883 during the visit of the Grand Duke William III as a part of a parade titled "Vive la Roi, Vive la Reine" (Long live the King, Long live the Queen). Even after the end of the personal union the melody was used for parades and ceremonies.

In 1915, Luxembourgish author Willy Georgen wrote the first lyrics for the anthem, to commemorate the 1815 Congress of Vienna. Although his lyrics were supported by Grand Duchess Marie-Adélaïde, World War I and the 1919 abdication of Marie-Adélaïde in favour of her sister Charlotte after suspicions of pro-German sentiment meant Georgen's lyrics were not officially adopted.^[1]

In 1919, Luxembourgish writer Nik Welter wrote lyrics on the melody for the marriage of Grand Duchess Charlotte and Prince Félix on 6 November that year. The anthem with Welter's words was first performed on 23 January 1920, Charlotte's 24th birthday, at the Te Deum service at Notre-Dame Cathedral by the cathedral choir, as an "anthem for the House of Luxembourg-Nassau-Bourbon".^[1]^[2] Around the same time, Luxembourg Cathedral organist Jean-Pierre Beicht harmonised the anthem for a four-piece choir. Welter subsequently dropped the first verse he had written for the anthem, which was marked too strongly by the events of the time, leaving it with the version of today.^[2]

In 1939, half a year before the German invasion of Luxembourg, a slightly altered version of Willy Georgen's 1915 lyrics were published, but they did not become popular.^[2]

Lyrics

Although Nik Welter's lyrics from 1919 remain today, most Luxembourgers do not know them, as typically only the melody is played on official occasions.

Second lyrics

Luxembourgish original^[3]	IPA transcription
I Zwee Kinnékskanner, déi trei sech léif, koumen ausenaaner, wäit an déif. Zwee Kinnékskanner, déi trei sech léif, hu gebaangt, op d'Gléck nach bléie géif. Haut weisen si der ganzer Welt an engem Feld d'Goldlilie mat dem roude Krouneléif. Haut steet ëm si voll Freed, Hand an Hand, d'Vollék vun dem Lëtzebuerger Land. II Nun as verbäi de Stuurm, d'Nout as aus, d'Menschheet trëtt erléist an d'Liicht eraus. Nun as verbäi de Stuurm, d'Nout as aus: Lëtzebuerg bleift Här am eegnen Haus. Den Himmel huet no laanger Nuecht d'neit Freijor bruecht a rëscht all Dir mat grénger Friddensstrauss. Lo steet erem sou frou, Hand an Hand, Grouss a Kleng am Lëtzebuerger Land. III Mir hun a schwéirer Zäit Trei bekannt, 't gong fir d'Fräiheet an et gong fir d'Land. Mir hun a schwéirer Zäit Trei bekannt, d'Éier agesat zum Ënnerpand. A wann eng nei Gefor en dreet, mir si bereet, mir haale nees mat Häärz a Wëlle stand. Da steet rem staark a stolz, Hand an Hand, d'Vollék vun dem Lëtzebuerger Land. IV Sou wäärd et ëmmerzou eneg ston, voll Vertraue Gléck an Ongléck dron. Sou wäärd et ëmmerzou eneg ston, frou seng Flicht géint Troun an Hemecht don. E staarke Stamm an aler Äärd an duebel wäärt, mat fräier Kroun voll Saaft a Sonn ze ston. O Härgott, schiirm a leet, Hand an Hand, d'Vollék vun dem Lëtzebuerger Land!	1 [t͡sweː ˈki(n)neksˌkɑ(n)nɐ dəɪ̯ tʀɑɪ̯ zəɕ ləɪ̯f ˈkəʊ̯mən ˈɑʊ̯zəˌnaːnɐ væːɪ̯d ɑn dəɪ̯f t͡sweː ˈki(n)neksˌkɑ(n)nɐ dəɪ̯ tʀɑɪ̯ zəɕ ləɪ̯f hu gəˈbaːŋd op tglek nɑχ ˈbləɪ̯ə gəɪ̯f hɑʊ̯t ˈvɑɪ̯zən zi dɐ ˈgɑnt͡sɐ væld ɑn ˈæŋəm fæl dgoldˈliljə mɑt dəm ˈʀəʊ̯də ˈkʀəʊ̯nəˌləɪ̯f hɑʊ̯t ʃteːd əm zi fol(ː) fʀeːt hɑnd ɑn hɑnt ˈtfo(l)lek fun dəm ˈlətt͡səˌbu̯əjɐ lɑnt] 2 [nun ɑs fɐˈbæːɪ̯ də ʃtuːɐ̯m (d)nəʊ̯d ɑz ɑʊ̯s ˈ(d)mænʃheːt tʀət(ː) ɐˈləɪ̯zd ɑn dliːʑd əˈʀɑʊ̯s nun ɑs fɐˈbæːɪ̯ də ʃtuːɐ̯m (d)nəʊ̯d ɑz ɑʊ̯s ˈlətt͡səˌbu̯əɕ blɑɪ̯ft hɛːɐ̯ ɑm ˈeːʑnən hɑʊ̯s dən ˈhiməl hu̯ət no ˈlaːŋɐ nu̯əɕt nɑɪ̯t ˈfʀɑɪ̯joːɐ̯ bʀu̯əɕt ɑ ʀəʒd ɑl(ː) diːɐ̯ mɑt ˈgʀeŋɐ ˈfʀidənsˌʃtʀɑʊ̯s(ː) lo ʃteːd əˈʀəm zəʊ̯ fʀəʊ̯ hɑnd ɑn hɑnt gʀəʊ̯s(ː) ɑ klæŋ ɑm ˈlətt͡səˌbu̯əjɐ lɑnt] 3 [miːɐ̯ hun ɑ ˈʃvəɪ̯ʀɐ t͡sæːɪ̯t tʀɑɪ̯ bəˈkɑnt goŋ fiːɐ̯ ˈtfʀæːɪ̯heːt ɑn ət goŋ fiːɐ̯ dlɑnt miːɐ̯ hun ɑ ˈʃvəɪ̯ʀɐ t͡sæːɪ̯t tʀɑɪ̯ bəˈkɑnt ˈdəɪ̯ɐ ˈaːgəˌzɑt t͡sum ˈə(n)nɐˌpɑnt ɑ vɑn(ː) eŋ nɑɪ̯ gəˈfoːɐ̯ ən dʀeːt miːɐ̯ zi bəˈʀeːt miːɐ̯ ˈhaːlə neːs mɑt hɛːɐ̯d͡z ɑ ˈvə(l)lə ʃtɑnt dɑ ʃteːt ʀəm ʃtaːχk ɑ ʃtolt͡s hɑnd ɑn hɑnt ˈtfo(l)lek fun dəm ˈlətt͡səˌbu̯əjɐ lɑnt] 4 [zəʊ̯ vɛːɐ̯d əd ˈə(m)mɐˌt͡səʊ̯ ˈeːnəɕ ʃton fol(ː) fɐˈtʀɑʊ̯ə glek ɑn ˈonglek dʀon zəʊ̯ vɛːɐ̯d əd ˈə(m)mɐˌt͡səʊ̯ ˈeːnəɕ ʃton fʀəʊ̯ zæŋ fliɕt gəɪ̯nt tʀəʊ̯n ɑn ˈheːməɕt don ə ˈʃtaːχkə ʃtɑm(ː) ɑn ˈɑlɐ ɛːɐ̯t ɑn ˈdu̯əbəl vɛːɐ̯t mɑt ˈfʀæːɪ̯ɐ kʀəʊ̯n fol(ː) zaːvd ɑ zon(ː) t͡sə ʃton o ˈhɛːɐ̯got(ː) ʃiːɐ̯m ɑ leːt hɑnd ɑn hɑnt ˈtfo(l)lek fun dəm ˈlətt͡səˌbu̯əjɐ lɑnt]

Original lyrics

Luxembourgish original^[2]	English translation	German translation	French translation
I Zwê Kinnekskanner, de' trei sech le'f, ko'men ausenâner weit an de'f; Zwê Kinnekskanner, de' trei sech le'f, hunn och stëll gebiet datt Fridde ge'f: Haut weisen si der ganzer Welt en engem Feld d'Goldlilje mat dem ro'de Kro'nele'w; Haut dron s'a jongem Glëck Hand an Hand d'Hoffnonk vun dem Letzeburger Land. II D'Wilhelmusweis voll Mutt, Krâft a Schwonk fle'ßt durch d'Blutt ons we' e Feierdronk: d'Wilhelmusweis voll Mutt, Krâft a Schwonk mëcht âl Hierzer an âl Zeite jonk. An op de Fielzen un der Our de wei en Tur hieft himmelhe'ch eng sche'n Erënneronk. Haut dre't e stolzt Geschlecht Hand an Hand Nuem a Le'ft vum Letzeburger Land. III Mir hunn a schwe'rer Zeit Trei bekannt, t'gong fir d'Freihét an et gong fir d'Land; mir hunn a schwe'rer Zeit Trei bekannt, d'E'er agesat zum Ennerpand. A wann eng nei Gefôr en drêt, mir si berêt, mir halen nês mat Hierz a Wëlle stand; Da stêt rem fro' a stolz Hand an Hand Gro'ß a Kleng am Letzeburger Land. IV So' werden s'ëmmerzo' êneg gôn, Fürst a Vollek Frêd we' Lêd mat drôn; So' werden s'ëmmerzo' êneg gôn, Ganz hir Pflicht ge'nt sech an d'Hémecht dôn; E starke Stâm an âler Erd, an duebel wert mat freier Kro'n voll Saft a Sonn ze stôn. O Herrgott, lêt du trei Hand an Hand d'Kanner vun dem Letzeburger Land!	I Two royal children in true love became separated widely and deeply; two royal children in true love also prayed silently for peace: Today, they show to the entire world in a field the gold lilies with the red Crown Lion; today, they bear in young happiness, hand in hand, the hope of the Luxembourg land. II Now the storm is over, misery is gone, all mankind walks freely into the light. Now the storm is over, misery is gone: Luxembourg remains master in its own house. After a long night, the sky brought us a new spring and gives to you a green bunch of peace. Let us stand happily together, hand in hand, Great and small in the Luxembourg land. III We have proclaimed loyalty in hard times, have stood upright for freedom and for the country. We have proclaimed loyalty in hard times, have provided it to you as your pledge. And when new danger threatens you, we are ready, We stand steadfast with heart and desire. There it stands strong and proud, hand in hand, The people of the Luxembourg land. IV So it will ever stand united, trustful in joy and misfortune. So it will ever stand united, happily perform its duty for throne and country. A strong trunk on ancient soil and twice worthy, rising its strong top freely towards the sun. O Lord God, protect and guide, hand in hand, The people of the Luxembourg land!	I Zwei Königskinder, die treu sich lieben, wurden getrennt weit und tief; zwei Königskinder, die treu sich lieben, haben auch still gebetet, dass es Frieden gebe: Heute zeigen sie der ganzen Welt die Goldlilie mit dem roten Kronenlöwen in einem Feld; Heute tragen sie in jungem Glück, Hand in Hand, die Hoffnung des Luxemburger Landes. II Nun ist der Sturm vorbei, die Not ist weg, die Menschheit tritt erlöst ins Licht heraus. Nun ist der Sturm vorbei, die Not ist weg: Luxemburg bleibt Herr im eigenen Haus. Am Himmel ist nicht länger Nacht, er hat einen neuen Frühling gebracht und reicht dir einen grünen Friedensstrauß. Lasst uns so froh zusammenstehen, Hand in Hand, Groß und Klein im Luxemburger Land. III Wir haben in schwerer Zeit Treue bekannt, haben aufrecht für Freiheit und für das Land gestanden. Wir haben in schwerer Zeit Treue bekannt, haben, sofern sie für Sie als ihr Versprechen. Und wenn neue Gefahr droht ihnen, wir sind bereit, Wir stehen standhaft mit Herz und Lust. Dort steht er stark und stolz, Hand in Hand, Die Menschen des Landes Luxemburg. IV So wird es immer vereint, stehen vertrauensvolle in Freude und Unglück. So wird es immer vereint, stehen glücklich Erfüllung seiner Pflicht für Thron und Land. Ein starker Stamm auf alten Böden und zweimal verdient, steigende seine starke oben frei in Richtung der Sonne. O Herr, Gott, schützen und leiten, Hand in Hand, Die Menschen im Luxemburg Land!	I Deux enfants royaux dans véritable amour ont été séparés largement et profondément; deux enfants royaux dans véritable amour également prié en silence pour la paix: Aujourd'hui, ils montrent à l' monde entier les lys d'or avec le rouge de la Couronne Lion dans un champ; aujourd'hui, ils portent dans le bonheur des jeunes, main dans la main, l'espoir de la terre Luxembourg. II Maintenant, la tempête est terminée, c'est la misère disparu, l'humanité tout entière déambule librement dans la lumière. Maintenant, la tempête est terminée, la misère a disparu: Luxembourg reste le maître dans sa propre maison. Après une longue nuit, le ciel nous a apporté une nouveau printemps et donne à vous un bouquet vert de la paix. Levons-nous heureux ensemble, main dans la main, Grands et petits dans le pays Luxembourg. III Nous avons proclamé la loyauté dans les moments difficiles, ont se tenait debout pour la liberté et pour le pays. Nous avons proclamé la loyauté dans les moments difficiles, lui ont fourni à vous comme votre promesse. Et quand le danger menace nouvelle que vous, nous sommes prêts, Nous sommes résolument aux côtés de cœur et de volonté. Là, il est fort et fier, main dans la main, Les habitants de la terre Luxembourg. IV Donc, il ne sera jamais un front uni, confiance dans la joie et le malheur. Donc, il ne sera jamais un front uni, heureusement accomplir son devoir pour le trône et le pays. Un coffre fort sur sol antique et deux fois digne, la hausse son sommet forte librement vers le soleil. O Seigneur Dieu, protège et guide, main dans la main, Les habitants de la terre Luxembourg!

Notes

References

^ ^a ^b ^c "Knowledge Bites: Ons Heemecht and De Wilhelmus – Luxembourg's Anthems". RTL Today. Retrieved 2022-02-02.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d "The Grand Ducal Family of Luxembourg" (PDF). Government of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. September 2002. pp. 107–108. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2006-06-30.
^ "Lidderbuch" (PDF). Association des Cercles d’Étudiants Luxembourgeois. 2020. pp. 106–107. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2022-01-28. Retrieved 2022-02-02.

External links

"Les usages protocolaires de la Cour" [Protocols of the court] incl. sound file and score of "De Wilhelmus" (in French)

[:0-1] "Knowledge Bites: Ons Heemecht and De Wilhelmus – Luxembourg's Anthems". RTL Today. Retrieved 2022-02-02.

[Grand_Ducal_Family-2] "The Grand Ducal Family of Luxembourg" (PDF). Government of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. September 2002. pp. 107–108. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2006-06-30.

[3] "Lidderbuch" (PDF). Association des Cercles d’Étudiants Luxembourgeois. 2020. pp. 106–107. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2022-01-28. Retrieved 2022-02-02.

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