Der er et yndigt land

For the 1983 film, see Der er et yndigt land (film).

Der er et yndigt land

English: There is a Lovely Country
Civil anthem of  Denmark
Lyrics	Adam Oehlenschläger, 1819
Music	Hans Ernst Krøyer, 1835
Adopted	1835
Music sample
Der er et yndigt land (Instrumental)

Der er et yndigt land (Danish pronunciation: [dæɐ̯ ˈæɐ̯ ed ˈøndid̥ ˈlanˀ]) ("There is a lovely land") is the (civil) national anthem of Denmark. On royal occasions, the royal anthem Kong Christian stod ved højen mast is performed together with Der er et yndigt land.

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. The last line of each verse is repeated once.

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"). When first published, the anthem had 12 verses, but this was shortened to the first, third, fifth, and last verse in later editions. 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.

Sung lyrics

Danish lyrics 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 :| Short version The lines sung at sporting events etc. are normally confined to: 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 :| Vort gamle Danmark skal bestå, så længe bøgen spejler sin top i bølgen blå :|

Free metrical translation There is a lovely land with spreading, shady beeches Near salty eastern beach :| Its hills and valleys gently fall, its ancient name is Denmark, And it is Freya's hall :| There in the ancient days sat armoured Vikings 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 :|

Literal translation 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 went forward to the 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

Original lyrics

Original Danish lyrics Der er et yndigt Land, Det staaer med brede Bøge Nær salten Østerstrand; Det bugter sig i Bakke, Dal, Det hedder gamle Danmark, Og det er Freias Sal. Der sad i fordums Tid De harniskklædte Kæmper, Udhvilede fra Strid; Saa drog de frem til Fienders Meen, Nu hvile deres Bene Bag Høiens Bautasteen. Det Land endnu er skiønt, Thi blaa sig Søen belter, Og Løvet staaer saa grønt; Og ædle Qvinder, skiønne Møer, Og Mænd og raske Svende Beboe de Danske Øer. Vort Sprog er stærkt og blødt, Vor Tro er reen og luttret Og Modet er ei dødt. Og hver en Dansk er lige fri, Hver lyder tro sin Konge, Men Trældom er forbi. Et venligt Syd i Nord Er, grønne Danarige, Din axbeklædte Jord. Og Snekken gaaer sin stolte Vei. Hvor Ploug og Kiølen furer, Der svigter Haabet ei. Vort Dannebrog er smukt, Det vifter hen ad Havet Med Flagets røde Bugt. Og stedse har sin Farve hvid Dit hellige Kors i Blodet, O Dannebrog, i Strid. Karsk er den Danskes Aand, Den hader Fordoms Lænker, Og Sværmeriets Baand. For Venskab aaben, kold for Spot, Slaaer ærlig Jydes Hierte, For Pige, Land og Drot. Jeg bytter Danmark ei, For Ruslands Vinterørkner, For Sydens Blomstermai. Ei Pest og Slanger kiende vi, Ei Vesterlandets Tungsind, Ei Østens Raseri. Vor Tid ei staaer i Dunst, Den hævet har sin Stemme For Videnskab og Kunst. Ei Bragis og ei Mimers Raab Har vakt i lige Strækning Et bedre Fremtids Haab. Ei stor, vor Fødestavn, Dog hæver sig blandt Stæder Dit stolte Kiøbenhavn. Til bedre By ei Havet kom, Ja ingen Flod i Dalen, Fra Trondhiem og til Rom. Med hellig Varetægt Bevare du, Alfader! Vor gamle Kongeslægt. Kong Fredrik ligner Fredegod; Hvor er en bedre Fyrste, Af bedre Helteblod? Hil Drot og Fædreland! Hil hver en Danneborger, Som virker hvad han kan. Vort gamle Danmark skal bestaae, Saalænge Bøgen speiler Sin Top i Bølgen blaa.

English Translation There is a lovely land it stands with broad beeches near the salty eastern strand 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 set out to slay the foe, 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 Our language is strong and soft, Our faith is pure and purified And morale is in dead. And each a Danish is just free, Each reads believe his reign, But slavery is over. A friendly South of North Is the green river empire, Your clad ax-clad Earth. And Snekken walks his proud way. How Ploug and Kiølen furrows The failure of hope not. Our Danish flag is beautiful The fans along the Sea With Flag Red Bay. And always has his white Colour Your Holy Cross in blood, O Flag of Denmark in battle. Cress the Danes's Spirit It hates Prejudice fetters, And enthusiasm ribbon. For Friendship open, cold for Spot Smites Jutes honest heart, For Girl, Country and Queen. I swap Denmark not, For Russia's winter deserts, For Southern May Flowers. With Plague and Serpents are we served In North Country melancholy In Eastern rage. Our time in stands in reek, It has raised his voice Of Science and Arts. In around Bragi's and Mímir's cry Aroused in straight stretch A better hope for the future. In great, our native soil, However soars among cities Your proud Copenhagen. For better City in sea came Yes no river in the valley; From Trondhiem and to Rome. With holy remand Preserve you, All-father! Our old dynasty. King Fredrik similar Fredegod; Where is a better prince For better hero blood? 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

External links

• Danica Dienste has a vocal version of the anthem.
• MP3 file (instrumental) - by the U.S. Navy Band
• Jørgen Ebert has a page that includes the lyrics plus a midi file of the anthem

Denmark portal