Der er et yndigt land

"Der er et yndigt land" (Danish pronunciation: [tɛɐ̯ ˈɛɐ̯ e̝t ˈøntit ˈlænˀ, tɑ -]), commonly translated into English as "There is a lovely country", is one of the national anthems of Denmark.

For the 1983 film, see Der er et yndigt land (film).
Der er et yndigt land
English: There is a Lovely Land
National anthem of  Denmark
LyricsAdam Oehlenschläger, 1819
MusicHans Ernst Krøyer, 1835
Adopted1835
Audio sample
Der er et yndigt land (Instrumental)
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History
Adam Oehlenschläger, lyrics' author

The lyrics were written in 1819 by Adam Oehlenschläger and bore the motto in Latin: Ille terrarum mihi praeter omnes angulus ridet (Horace: "This corner of the earth smiles for me more than any other"). The music was composed in 1835 by Hans Ernst Krøyer. Later, Thomas Laub and Carl Nielsen each composed alternative melodies, but neither of them has gained widespread adoption, and today they are mostly unknown to the general population.

When first published, the national anthem had 12 verses, but this was shortened to the first, third, fifth, and last verse in later editions. In common use, only the first verse (or stanza) and the last three lines of the fourth verse are sung. The first half of the last verse is rarely heard and the last line of each verse is repeated once.

Denmark is one of only two countries in the world—the other being New Zealand—with two official national anthems. Officially, Kong Christian stod ved højen mast is both a national and a royal anthem; it has equal status with Der er et yndigt land, which is treated as the civil national anthem.[1] On royal and military occasions, Kong Christian is performed alone, or the two national anthems are played together.[2]

Music

Lyrics
Danish IPA transcription Free metrical translation Literal translation

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 møer
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 :|

[tɛɐ̯ ˈɛɐ̯ e̝t ˈøntit ˈlænˀ]
[te̝ ˈstɒˀ með ˈpʁeːðə ˈpøːjə]
[nɛɐ̯ˀ ˈsæltn̩ ˈøstɐˌstʁɑnˀ]
[te̝ ˈpɔktɐ sɑj i ˈpɑkə ˈtɛˀl]
[te̝ ˈhe̝ðˀɐ ˈkɑmlə ˈtænmɑk]
[ʌ ˈte̝ ɛɐ̯ ˈfʁɑjæs ˈsɛˀl]

[tɛɐ̯ ˈsæðˀ i ˈfɒːtɔms tsʰiðˀ]
[ti ˈhɑːniskˌkʰleˀtə ˈkʰempɐ]
[ˈuðˌviˀlð̩ə fʁɑ ˈstʁiðˀ]
[sʌ ˈtʁoˀ ti ˈfʁæmˀ tsʰe̝l ˈfjenɐs ˈme̝ˀn]
[nu ˈviːlə ˈtɛɐ̯ɐs ˈpe̝ːnə]
[pɛˀj ˈhʌjn̩s ˈpɑwtæˌste̝ˀn]

[te̝ ˈlænˀ eˈnu ɛɐ̯ ˈskœnˀt]
[tsʰi ˈplɔˀ sɑj ˈsøˀn̩ ˈpeltɐ]
[ʌ ˈløˀvð̩ ˈstɒˀ sʌ ˈkʁɶnˀt]
[ʌ ˈɛˀðlə ˈkve̝nɐ ˈskœnə ˈmøˀɐ]
[ʌ ˈmenˀ ʌ ˈʁɑskə ˈsvenə]
[pe̝ˈpoˀ ti ˈtænskəs øˀɐ]

[hilˀ ˈtʁʌt ʌ ˈfeðʁɐˌlænˀ]
[hilˀ ˈvɛɐ̯ˀ e̝n ˈtænəˌpɒːwɐ]
[sʌm ˈviɐ̯kɐ væð hæn ˈkʰænˀ]
[vɒːt ˈkɑmlə ˈtænmɑk ˈskæl pe̝ˈstɔˀ]
[sʌ ˈleŋə ˈpøːjn̩ ˈspɑjlɐ]
[sin ˈtsʰʌp i ˈpøljn̩ ˈplɔˀ]

There is a lovely land
with spreading, shady beech-trees,

Near salty eastern shore :|

Its hills and valleys gently fall,
its name is ancient Denmark,

And it is Freya's hall. :|


There in the ancient days
sat armoured giants rested

Between their bloody frays :|

Then they went forth the foe to face,
now found in stone-set barrows,

Their final resting place. :|


This land is still as fair,
the sea is blue around it,

And peace is cherished there :|

Strong men and noble women still
uphold their country's honour

With faithfulness and skill. :|


Hail king and fatherland!
Hail citizens of honour,

who do the best they can :|

Our ancient Denmark shall remain,
as long as beech tops mirror

in waves of blue their chain! :|

There is a lovely country
it stands with broad beech-trees,
near the salty eastern shore
It bends itself in hill, valley,
its name is old Denmark
and it is Freya's hall.

There sat in former times,
the armour-suited warriors,
rested from conflict
Then they went forward to the enemies' injury,
now resting are their bones
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 honourable citizen,
who works, what he can
Our old Denmark shall endure,
as long as the beech-tree mirrors
its top in the blue wave!

References
  1. "Not one but two national anthems". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark. Retrieved 19 May 2014.
  2. Udenrigsministeriet (6 August 2001). "Instruks for Udenrigstjenesten". Retsinformation. Retrieved 30 June 2013.
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