Denmark Anthem
The Flag of Denmark
You might be wondering about the Denmark Anthem. Did you know that there are two? There is Der er et yndigt land - There is a Lovely Land which is the civil national anthem. It is what is frequently heard at sporting events. The second is Kong Christian stod ved højen mast - King Christian stood by the lofty mast which is the Danish Royal Anthem. It is used for Danish royalty and the Danish Military. It is a tradition for these anthems to be played at New Years just after midnight sung by Denmark's Radio Girl's choir on television. (See video below.)
The music for the Denmark anthem, There is a lovely land, was composed by Hans Ernst Krøyer in 1835 for the lyrics by Adam Oehlenschläger which were written in 1819. There were originally twelve verses written.
The lyrics to King Christian were written by Johannes Erwald in 1780. The music was composed by an unknown composer.
Official National Denmark Anthem Lyrics
Der er et yndigt land
by Adam Oehlenschläger and Hans Ernst Krøyer
Der er et yndigt land,
det står med brede bøge
nær salten østerstrand :|
Det bugter sig i bakke, dal,
det hedder gamle Danmark
og det er Frejas sal :|
Der sad i fordums tid
de harniskklædte kæmper,
udhvilede fra strid :|
Så drog de frem til fjenders mén,
nu hvile deres bene
bag højens bautasten :|
Det land endnu er skønt,
thi blå sig søen bælter,
og løvet står så grønt :|
Og ædle kvinder, skønne mø'r
og mænd og raske svende
bebo de danskes øer :|
Hil drot og fædreland!
Hil hver en danneborger,
som virker, hvad han kan! :|
Vort gamle Danmark skal bestå,
så længe bøgen spejler
sin top i bølgen blå :|
English Translation to Der er et yndigt land
There is a lovely country
There is a lovely country
it stands with broad beeches
near the salty eastern beach
It winds itself in hill, valley,
it is called old Denmark
and it is Freja's hall
There sat in former times,
the armour-suited warriors,
rested from conflict
Then they journeyed forwards to their enemies' injury,
now their bones are resting
behind the mound's menhir
That country is still lovely,
because the sea waves so blue frolic,
and the foliage stands so green
And noble women, beautiful maidens,
and men and brisk swains
inhabit the Danes' islands
Hail king and fatherland!
Hail every a Dane-citizen,
who works, what he can
Our old Denmark shall endure,
as long as the beech reflects
its top in the blue wave
Official Royal Denmark Anthem Lyrics
Kong Christian stod ved højen mast
by Johannes Erwald and Unknown Composer
Kong Kristian stod ved højen mast
i røg og damp.
Hans værge hamrede så fast,
at gotens hjælm og hjerne brast.
Da sank hvert fjendtligt spejl og mast
i røg og damp.
Fly, skreg de, fly, hvad flygte kan!
hvo står for Danmarks Kristian,
hvo står for Danmarks Kristian, i kamp?
Niels Juel gav agt på stormens brag:
Nu er det tid!
Han hejsede det røde flag
og slog på fjenden slag i slag.
Da skreg de højt blandt stormens brag:
Nu er det tid!
Fly, skreg de, hver, som ved et skjul!
hvo kan bestå mod Danmarks Juel,
hvo kan bestå mod Danmarks Juel, i strid?
O, Nordhav! glimt af Wessel brød
din mørke sky!
Da ty'de kæmper til dit skød,
thi med ham lynte skræk og død.
Fra vallen hørtes vrål, som brød
den tykke sky:
Fra Danmark lyner Tordenskjold.
Hver give sig i himlens vold,
hver give sig i himlens vold, og fly!
Du danskes vej til ros og magt,
sortladne hav!
Modtag din ven, som uforsagt
tør møde faren med foragt,
så stolt som du mod stormens magt,
sortladne hav!
Og rask igennem larm og spil
og kamp og sejer før mig til,
og kamp og sejer før mig til, min grav!
English Translation by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
King Christian stood by the lofty mast
King Christian stood by the lofty mast
In mist and smoke;
His sword was hammering so fast,
Through Gothic helm and brain it passed;
Then sank each hostile hulk and mast,
In mist and smoke.
"Fly!" shouted they, "fly, he who can!
Who braves of Denmark's Christian,
Who braves of Denmark's Christian,
In battle?"
Niels Juel gave heed to the tempest's roar,
Now is the hour!
He hoisted his blood-red flag once more,
And smote upon the foe full sore,
And shouted loud, through the tempest's roar,
"Now is the hour!"
"Fly!" shouted they, "for shelter fly!
Of Denmark's Juel who can defy,
Of Denmark's Juel who can defy,
The power?"
North Sea! a glimpse of Wessel rent
Thy murky sky!
Then champions to thine arms were sent;
Terror and Death glared where he went;
From the waves was heard a wail, that rent
Thy murky sky!
From Denmark thunders Tordenskiol',
Let each to Heaven commend his soul,
Let each to Heaven commend his soul,
And fly!
Path of the Dane to fame and might!
Dark-rolling wave!
Receive thy friend, who, scorning flight,
Goes to meet danger with despite,
Proudly as thou the tempest's might,
Dark-rolling wave!
And amid pleasures and alarms,
And war and victory, be thine arms,
And war and victory, be thine arms,
My grave!
Denmark Anthem
The video below was performed for New Years of 2011. The first song is Vær Velkommen Herrens År which means Be Welcome, Year of Our Lord. The second is Det er et Yndigt Land and after that is Kong Kristian stod ved højen Mast.
Did You Know...
- The Royal Denmark Anthem, Kong Christian, is one of the oldest national anthems as it was adopted in 1780.
- It is a tradition for the National and the Royal Anthems to be performed at midnight on television.
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