Oben am jungen Rhein

"Oben am jungen Rhein" ("High on the young Rhine") is the national anthem of Liechtenstein. Written in the 1850s, it is set to the melody of the British anthem, "God Save the King/Queen", which in the 19th century had been used for a number of anthems of German-speaking nations, including those of Prussia, Bavaria, Saxony, and Switzerland.

Oben am jungen Rhein

English: High on the young Rhine
National anthem of  Liechtenstein
Lyrics	Jakob Josef Jauch, 1850s
Music	Unknown composer (uses the melody of "God Save the Queen")
Adopted	c. 1870 (official 1920; modified in 1963)
Audio sample
"Oben am jungen Rhein" (instrumental) file help

History

The original lyrics, beginning Oberst am jungen Rhein, were written in the 1850s. The song may be grouped with the German "Rhine songs", i.e. songs that celebrate the River Rhine as part of the German national patrimony, opposing the French territorial claims on the left river bank.

The text is attributed to Jakob Josef Jauch (1802–1859).[1] A Russian-born Swiss convert to Catholicism, Jauch studied theology in Switzerland during 1828–1832, and was consecrated as Catholic priest in 1833. He served as priest in London during 1837/8–1850. During 1852–1856, he lived in Balzers, Liechtenstein, and befriended Countess Franziska, with whom he planned a model educational institution in Balzers. Due to his progressive stance, Jauch came into conflict with the church hierarchy, and the bishop of Chur ordered him to leave Liechtenstein in 1856. If the attribution of the lyrics to Jauch is correct, the composition would likely date to Jauch's time in Balzers (1852–1856).

The lyrics were not published during Jauch's lifetime. They appeared in print, as the national anthem of Liechtenstein (Die Liechtenstein'sche National-Hymne) only after a period of oral transmission, in 1875, so that the tradition of Jauch's authorship, or the original form of his lyrics, can not be verified.[2] The song served as Liechtenstein's unofficial, de facto national anthem from the 1870s until its official adoption in 1920.

In 1963, the text was shortened, and reference to the "German Rhine", which had been introduced in the 1920 version, was removed.[3] Oben am jungen Rhein is the only remaining national anthem sharing the same melody with the British "God Save the Queen" (since the replacement of the Swiss Rufst du, mein Vaterland in 1961).[4][5]

Lyrics

The lyrics printed in 1875 had seven verses. Of these, verses five and six were lost in the 1920 version. The 1963 version retains only the first and the final verse of the 1920 version, and it restores the reading of "the young Rhine" (junger Rhein), which had been substituted by reference to "the German Rhine" (deutscher Rhein) in 1920. Similarly, the reference to Liechtenstein as "beloved homeland within the German fatherland" found in the 1920 version was replaced by reference to Liechtenstein, itself, as both "beloved homeland" and "dear fatherland".

1875 version[2]	1920 version	Translation[6]	1963 version
Oberst am jungen Rhein Lehnet sich Liechtenstein An Alpenhöh'n. Dies liebe Heimatland, Im deutschen Vaterland Hat Gottes weise Hand Für uns erseh'n.	1. Oben am deutschen Rhein Lehnet sich Liechtenstein An Alpenhöh'n. Dies liebe Heimatland Im deutschen Vaterland Hat Gottes weise Hand Für uns erseh'n.	High on the German Rhine Lies Liechtenstein, resting On Alpine heights. This beloved homeland Within the German fatherland Was chosen for us By God's wise hand.	Oben am jungen Rhein Lehnet sich Liechtenstein An Alpenhöh'n. Dies liebe Heimatland, Das teure Vaterland Hat Gottes weise Hand Für uns erseh'n.
Wo einst St. Lucien Frieden nach Rhätien Hineingebracht Dort an dem Grenzestein Und längs des jungen Rhein Steht furchtlos Liechtenstein Auf Deutschlands Wacht.	2. Wo einst St. Lucien Frieden nach Rhätien Hineingebracht. Dort an dem Grenzenstein Und längs dem jungen Rhein Steht furchtlos Liechtenstein Auf Deutschlands Wacht.	Where once St. Lucius Peace to Raetia Brought, There by the border stone And along the young Rhine Liechtenstein stands fearless On guard for Germany.
Lieblich zur Sommerzeit Auf hoher Alpenweid Schwebt Himmelsruh: Wo frei die Gemse springt, Kühn sich der Adler schwingt, Der Senn das Ave singt Der Heimath zu.	3. Lieblich zur Sommerzeit Auf hoher Alpen Weid Schwebt Himmelsruh'. Wo frei die Gämse springt, Kühn sich der Adler schwingt, Der Senn das Ave singt Der Heimat zu.	Lovely in the summer On the high Alps' meadows Floats heavenly quietude. Where the chamois leaps freely, The eagle soars boldly, The herdsman sings the Ave For the native land.
Von grünen Felsenhöh'n Freundlich es ist zu seh'n Mit einem Blick: Wie des Rhein's Silberband Säumet das schöne Land, Ein kleines Vaterland Von stillem Glück.	4. Von grünen Felsenhöh'n Freundlich ist es zu seh'n Mit einem Blick: Wie des Rheins Silberband Säumet das schöne Land, Ein kleines Vaterland, Vom stillen Glück.	From green rocky heights It is lovely to look at With one gaze: How the Rhine's silver band Hems the beautiful land A small fatherland Of silent bliss.
Treu und fest, wenn schon klein Im deutschen Reichsverein Ruht Liechtenstein. Lichtvoll auf ew'gem Grund Einig und kerngesund In Sturm und Nacht dem Bund Leuchtstern zu sein.
Theilt nicht des Fürsten Herz Väterlich Freud' und Schmerz Mit Kindern hier? Nicht ihn erhält das Land — So reichet ihm die Hand, In unserm Vaterland Vater und Zier!
Hoch lebe Liechtenstein, Blühend am deutschen Rhein, Glücklich und frei! Hoch leb' der Fürst vom Land, Hoch unser Vaterland, Durch Bruderliebe Band Vereint und frei.	5. Hoch lebe Liechtenstein, Blühend am deutschen Rhein, Glücklich und treu. Hoch leb' der Fürst vom Land, Hoch unser Vaterland, Durch Bruderliebe Band Vereint und frei.	Long live Liechtenstein, Blossoming on the German Rhine, Fortunate and faithful! Long live the Prince of the Land, Long live our fatherland, Through bonds of brotherly love United and free!	Hoch lebe Liechtenstein, Blühend am jungen Rhein, Glücklich und treu. Hoch leb' der Fürst vom Land, Hoch unser Vaterland, Durch Bruderliebe Band Vereint und frei.

See also

• God Save the Queen#Use elsewhere
  • Heil dir im Siegerkranz
• Die Wacht am Rhein

References

1. "Up above the young Rhine (Oben am jungen Rhein)". Cantorian. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
2. The full seven verses were printed in "Die Lichtenstein's he Nationalhymne", Süddeutsche Presse, 21 March 1875 p. 2. Reprinted from the Süddeutsche Presse report, but shortened to five verses: Das Echo, 16 May 1875, p. 78, Neue Freie Presse Wien, 23 March 1875, p. 2; mentioned as "composed in the 1850s by a Catholic pastor" (in den Fünfziger-Jahren von einem katholischen Pfarrer gedichtet).
3. "Liechtenstein". nationalanthems.info. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
4. Pound, Jeremy (16 February 2016). "Five intriguing national anthems". ClassicalMusic.com. Retrieved 15 September 2016.
5. "How many national anthems are plagiarised?". BBC News. 26 August 2015. Retrieved 15 September 2016.
6. Close translation of the 1920 version

External links

• Liechtenstein at a glance – The National Anthem – The Portal of the Principality of Liechtenstein has a page in English about the National Anthem, while the German version of the page has an MP3 instrumental file of the anthem
• Streaming audio, lyrics and information for the Liechtenstein national anthem
• Himnuszok – A vocal version of the Anthem, featured in "Himnuszok" website