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Deutschland, Deutschland...
By Dirk Bansch
You probably know how it goes: "...über alles in der Welt" - above everything in the world. Probably due to the World Cup, my international friends have gone overboard trying to mock what they think is the German national anthem and its allegedly inherent claim to superiority. To put the record straight: "Deutschland über alles" is NOT the German national anthem! "Deutschland über alles" is the first stanza of the "Deutschlandlied" or "Lied der Deutschen" (Song of Germany or Song of the Germans), a poem composed by Hoffmann von Fallersleben (Fallersleben is a small town near Wolfsburg, my hometown, yay!) in 1841 to the music of Joseph Haydn's Kaiserquartett (Emperor Quartet). Hoffmann was seen as a revolutionary and his poem that proclaimed that people should see Germany as more important than their own little duchies (Germany as a state did not exist in 1841, it was a very loose conglomerate of dozens of independent monarchical states and free cities) was very controversial and he subsequently had to go into hiding. "Germany above everything" was not meant to mean "Germany above England, France, etc.", only that the idea of a united Germany should supersede any notion of exalted self-importance expressed by all those little kings and dukes in the German-speaking territory. "Deutschland über alles", along with the other two stanzas of the poem was proclaimed the German anthem after World War 1, this time to signify that the German nation should be seen as more important than any kings or emperors (up to 1918, the anthem was "Heil Dir im Siegerkranz" (Hail to Thee in Victor's Crown), sung to the tune of "God save the Queen". During the Third Reich, the meaning of the first stanza was perverted to signify German superiority over other countries.
Therefore, in 1952, and again after reunification in 1991, it was decreed that only the third stanza of the "Deutschlandlied" should be the German national anthem. The lyrics? "Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit für das deutsche Vaterland" (Unity and justice and freedom
for the German fatherland). Much less controversial and hopefully less likely to be misunderstood. Oh, and Germany will win the World Cup! ;-P |
  
Joseph Haydn
Hoffmann von Fallersleben
Deutschlandlied
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Well Good Luck to Germany to WIN the World Cup.
I will be so glad when the buzzing stops.
That has been driving me crazy, My hope is that it will be over SOON... very soon.
Cindy
It is unfortunate that national anthems are like Christmas carols - more suited to funerals than celebrations - and get the same sort of irreverant treatment. Whatever fun may be poked at the song, it is undeniable that the German military had some of the most stirring and motivating marching songs of the last war. If national pride and patriotism still existed among the young, I'm sure that the anthem of every country would be 'We are the champions' no matter what the 'old fogies' decided. Personally, having enjoyed hearing many renditions of it, 'die Fahne hoch' is probably one of the most enjoyable and versatile of all, lending itself to drunken son and father in law, the local traders guild or a body of marching men. Add a traditional military band and nothing could be better.
I knew the meaning of "Deutschland uber alles" but not the correct interpretation. Thank you for clearing that up! I guess you aren't Nazis after all. 
Dunno about the national anthem part of things, but I do think Germany have a good chance of beating Spain tonight. To be honest I couldn't really care if they do or don't. Not that I don't like football, I do. It's just that now England are out (well and truly!) it doesn't really matter to me. I just want to see a good game of football, the same with the World Cup final, where the best team on the day wins. I have to give it to the Germans though, that it doesn't matter what their team is reckoned to be - strong, weak, indifferent - in the major tournaments somehow they always do well.
 | | odls Jul 7, 2010 11:14 | |
Unity and justice and freedom is a wonderful intent. Thanks for sharing.
If only all countries could settle their differences and conflicts with soccer instead of wars.
I know this guy... "Father of the Symphony"! :)
Good intel, thanks.
"Dunno about the national anthem part of things, but I do think Germany have a good chance of beating Spain tonight." Oh well, I got that wrong didn't I?
| | odls Jul 8, 2010 05:27 | |
CONTRIBUTOR'S REPLY
Was there a match on? I must have slept through it... 
"Was there a match on? I must have slept through it..." You probably wished you had. ha ha
| | odls Jul 8, 2010 08:55 | |
Really interesting, Dirk. And thank you. I had always associated the anthem with the Nazis. I think most people do. Smart of the Germans to eliminate everything but the third verse from their anthem.
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