Song Lyrics in German and English

Austrian National Anthem: Land der Berge

Background: Land der Berge
The national anthem (Bundeshymne) of the Republik Österreich (Republic of Austria) was officially adopted on February 25, 1947, following a contest to find a replacement for the former imperial anthem by Haydn that had been appropriated by Germany in 1922 and now also had Nazi associations. The composer of the melody is not certain, but its origin goes back to 1791, when it was created for the freemason lodge to which both Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Johann Holzer (1753-1818) belonged. Current theory says that either Mozart or Holzer could have composed the melody.

The lyrics were written by Paula von Preradovic (1887-1951), the winner of the 1947 competition. Preradovic was the mother of the Austrian Minister of Education, Felix Hurdes, who had encouraged her (a distinguished writer and poet) to enter the contest.

Hear the melody (link below).

Also see: German National Anthem and Swiss National Anthem

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Land der Berge (Bundeshymne)

Land der Berge	Land of Mountains
German Lyrics Land der Berge, Land am Strome, Land der Äcker, Land der Dome, Land der Hämmer, zukunftsreich! Heimat bist du großer Söhne, Volk, begnadet für das Schöne, vielgerühmtes Österreich, vielgerühmtes Österreich! Heiß umfehdet, wild umstritten liegst dem Erdteil du inmitten, einem starken Herzen gleich. Hast seit frühen Ahnentagen hoher Sendung Last getragen, vielgeprüftes Österreich, vielgeprüftes Österreich! Mutig in die neuen Zeiten, frei und gläubig sieh uns schreiten, arbeitsfroh und hoffnungsreich. Einig laß in Brüderchören, Vaterland, dir Treue schwören, vielgeliebtes Österreich, vielgeliebtes Österreich!	Literal English Land of mountains, land on the river, Land of fields, land of cathedrals, Land of hammers, with a good future. Homeland are you of great sons, Nation graced with beauty, much praised Austria, much praised Austria! Strongly fought for, fiercely contested, You lie at the continent's center like a strong heart. You have borne since ancient times The burden of a high mission, much tested Austria, much tested Austria! With courage into a new age, free and believing watch us stride, happily working and full of hope. In fraternal chorus let us swear in unity fatherland, our allegiance to you, much beloved Austria, much beloved Austria!
Lyrics: Paula von Preradovic (1881-1951) Melody: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) or Johann Holzer (1753-1818)

AUDIO > Bundeshymne (mp3, Austrian anthem)

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MORE > German National Anthem (German and English)
MORE > Swiss National Anthem (German and English)

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