Auferstanden aus Ruinen

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Auferstanden aus Ruinen
English: Risen from Ruins
Nationalhymne der DDR.svg
National anthem of  East Germany
LyricsJohannes R. Becher, 1949
MusicHanns Eisler, 1949
Adopted1949; 72 years ago (1949)
Relinquished3 October 1990; 30 years ago (1990-10-03)
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"Auferstanden aus Ruinen" (instrumental)
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"Auferstanden aus Ruinen" (German for "Risen from Ruins") is a German patriotic song that was the national anthem of the German Democratic Republic during its existence from 1949 to 1990.

History[]

Background[]

In 1949, the Soviet occupation zone of Allied-occupied Germany became a socialist state under the name of the "German Democratic Republic" (GDR). For the nascent state's national anthem, the poet Johannes R. Becher, who later became Minister of Culture, wrote the lyrics. Two musicians, Ottmar Gerster and Hanns Eisler, proposed music to Becher's lyrics, and the version of Eisler was selected.

History[]

Written in 1949, the East German national anthem reflects the early stages of German separation, in which continuing progress towards reunification of the occupation zones was seen by most Germans as appropriate and natural. Consequently, Becher's lyrics develop several connotations of "unity" and combine them with "fatherland" (einig Vaterland), meaning Germany as a whole. However, this concept soon would not conform to an increasingly icy Cold War context, especially after the Berlin Wall had been erected in 1961 by the East German government.[1]

In 1973, East and West Germany were admitted to the United Nations simultaneously, following talks between the two governments that conferred a degree of mutual recognition. The term Germany was later removed from the East German constitution, and only the national anthem's tune was played on official occasions.[2] No new lyrics were ever written to replace Becher's which continued to be used unofficially, especially after die Wende in late 1989: once it became clear that the countries were actually moving towards reunification, East German television Deutscher Fernsehfunk reinstated the work and signed off every night with a joyous symphonic rendition of the vocal arrangement, accompanying picturesque footage of East Germany's main tourist attractions.[3]

"Auferstanden aus Ruinen" ceased to be a national anthem when the German Democratic Republic dissolved and its states joined the Federal Republic of Germany in the German reunification in 1990. "Deutschlandlied", composed in 1841, became the national anthem of a united Germany again. East German Prime Minister Lothar de Maizière had proposed that Becher's lyrics be added to the united German national anthem, but this was rejected by his West German counterpart, chancellor Helmut Kohl.[4]

At the end of its last broadcast on 2 October 1990, the East German international radio broadcaster Radio Berlin International signed off with a vocal version of the East German national anthem.[5]

In November 1995, "Auferstanden aus Ruinen" was played again when German President Roman Herzog visited Brazil. This is the first event in which the anthem was played since the German reunification.[6]

Lyrics[]

German original[7]

Auferstanden aus Ruinen
Und der Zukunft zugewandt,
Lass uns dir zum Guten dienen,
Deutschland, einig Vaterland.
Alte Not gilt es zu zwingen,
Und wir zwingen sie vereint,
Denn es muss uns doch gelingen,
Daß die Sonne schön wie nie
|: Über Deutschland scheint. :|

Glück und Friede sei beschieden
Deutschland, unserm Vaterland.
Alle Welt sehnt sich nach Frieden,
Reicht den Völkern eure Hand.
Wenn wir brüderlich uns einen,
Schlagen wir des Volkes Feind.
Lasst das Licht des Friedens scheinen,
Dass nie eine Mutter mehr
|: Ihren Sohn beweint. :|

Lasst uns pflügen, lasst uns bauen,
Lernt und schafft wie nie zuvor,
Und der eignen Kraft vertrauend,
Steigt ein frei Geschlecht empor.
Deutsche Jugend, bestes Streben
Unsres Volks in dir vereint,
Wirst du Deutschlands neues Leben,
Und die Sonne schön wie nie
|: Über Deutschland scheint. :|

Literal translation[citation needed]

Risen from the ruins
and facing the future,
let us serve you for the good,
Germany, united fatherland.
It is necessary to force old adversity,
and we force it together,
because we must succeed in getting
the sun to shine over
(x2) Germany like never before

Happiness and peace be granted to
Germany, our fatherland.
All the world longs for peace,
extend your hand to the people.
If we are fraternally united, we will
defeat the people's enemy.
Let the light of peace shine so
that a mother will never again
(x2) weep for her son.

Let us plow, let us build,
learn and create like never before,
and trusting in our own strength,
a free generation rises.
German youth, the best striving of
our people united in you,
you will be Germany's new life.
And the sun shines beautifully over
(x2) Germany like never before

Poetic translation[8]

From the ruins risen newly,
To the future turned, we stand.
Let us serve your good weal truly,
Germany, our fatherland.
Triumph over bygone sorrow,
Can unity be won?
For we shall attain a morrow,
When over our Germany,
|: There is the shining sun! :|

May both peace and joy inspire,
Germany, our fatherland.
Peace is all the world's desire,
To the peoples lend your hand.
In fraternity united,
We shall crush the people's foe.
Let all paths by peace be lighted,
That no mother shall again
|: Mourn her son in woe! :|

Let us plow and build our nation,
Learn and work as never yet,
That a free new generation,
Faith in its own strength begets!
German youth, for whom the striving
Of our people is at one,
You are Germany's reviving,
And over our Germany,
|: There is the shining sun! :|

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ "East Germany (GDR) – Auferstanden aus Ruinen". NationalAnthems.me. Retrieved 2 November 2011.
  2. ^ Hymne der DDR at LeMO Archived 5 July 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ "Auferstanden aus Ruinen" on YouTube, Deutscher Fernsehfunk
  4. ^ "Neuer Vorschlag: "Auferstanden aus Ruinen" in Nationalhymne?". Rheinische Post. 21 August 2010. Archived from the original on 27 April 2019. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  5. ^ RBI, last broadcast, 2 October 1990 on YouTube, Radio Berlin International
  6. ^ Auferstanden aus Ruinen… Die Nationalhymne der DDR 1949 bis 1990. Berlin: Dietz. 1997. p. 140.
  7. ^ Leben Singen Kämpfen. Liederbuch der deutschen Jugend. Berlin: Verlag Neues Leben. 1954. pp. 8–9.
  8. ^ Matthews, Brian (2002). Military Music & Bandsmen of Adolf Hitler's Third Reich, 1933–1945. Tomahawk Films. p. 255. ISBN 9780954281205.

External links[]

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