National Anthem of the German Democratic Republic: “Auferstanden aus Ruinen”(1949)
Abstract
“Auferstanden aus Ruinen” [“From the Ruins Risen”] was the anthem of the German Democratic Republic. It used a melody by Hanns Eisler (1898–1962) and lyrics by Johannes Becher (1891–1958). While it offered a vision of a socialist identity that was distinct from the Nazi and national pasts—and represented an alternative to West Germany—it was still informed by a type of Germanness that appealed to popular sentiments of mourning and hope. The anthem was introduced in 1949, the year that witnessed the founding of both the German Democratic Republic and the Federal Republic of Germany.
Source
From the ruins risen newly,
To the future turned, we
stand.
Let us serve your good weal truly,
Germany, our
fatherland.
Triumph over bygone sorrow,
Can unity be
won?
For we shall attain a morrow,
When over our
Germany,
there is the shining sun, there is the
shining
sun!
May both peace and joy inspire,
Germany, our
fatherland.
Peace is all the world’s desire,
To the peoples
lend your hand.
In fraternity united,
We shall crush the
people’s foe.
Let all paths by peace be lighted,
That no
mother shall again
mourn her son in woe, mourn her son
in
woe!
Let us plow and build our nation,
Learn and work as never
yet,
That a free new generation,
Faith in its own strength
begets!
German youth, for whom the striving
Of our people is
at one,
You are Germany’s reviving,
And over our
Germany,
There is the shining sun, there is the
shining
sun!
Source of English translation: “Auferstanden aus Ruinen,” poetic translation by Brian Matthews, at “Auferstanden aus Ruinen,” Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auferstanden_aus_Ruinen
Source of original German lyrics: “Auferstanden aus Ruinen” (1949), Johannes R. Becher (Text), Hanns Eisler (Music) – self compiled in accordance with Leben Singen Kämpfen. Liederbuch der deutschen Jugend. Berlin: Verlag Neues Leben, 1954, pp. 8–9. Available online at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auferstanden_aus_Ruinen
Source: Hanns Eisler and Johannes Becker, “Auferstanden aus Ruinen,” 1949. Available online at: http://ddrlexikon.de/auferstanden_aus_ruinen.mp3
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