What is Denmark's national anthem?
Denmark actually has two national anthems - 'Der er et yndigt land' ('There is a lovely country') and 'Kong Christian stod ved højen mast' ('King Christian stood by the lofty mast'), commonly shortened to 'Kong Christian'.
On royal and military occasions Kong Christian is usually the anthem of choice, while at civil and public occasions 'Der er et yndigt land' is usually sung. To add to the confusion there are times where the two national anthems are played together.
Who wrote the Danish national anthem 'Der er et yndigt land' ('There is a lovely country'
Danish poet Adam Gottlob Oehlenschläger wrote the lyrics to 'Der er et yndigt land' in 1819, while the The music was composed by Hans Ernst Krøyer in 1835.
What are the lyrics to Denmark's national anthem?
'Der er et yndigt land' ('There is a lovely country') lyrics in English
There is a land we love with shady beech-trees aspread The briny shores above. Its hills and valleys gently fall, 'Tis the name of ol' Denmark, 'Tis good ol' Freya's hall.
There in the days of yore Sat armoured giants rested 'Tween their frays of gore 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!
'Der er et yndigt land' 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 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
'Kong Christian' lyrics in English
King Christian stood by the lofty mast In mist and smoke; His sword was hammering so fast, Through Gothic helm and brain it passed; Then sank each hostile hulk and mast, In mist and smoke. "Flee!" shouted they, "flee, he who can! Who braves of Denmark's Christian, Who braves of Denmark's Christian, In fight?"
Niels Juel gave heed to the tempest's roar, Now is the hour! He hoisted his blood-red flag once more, And smote upon the foe full sore, And shouted loud, through the tempest's roar, "Now is the hour!" "Flee!" shouted they, "for shelter flee! "Who can defy of Denmark's Juel, Who can defy of Denmark's Juel, In battle?"
North Sea! a glimpse of Wessel rent Thy murky sky! Then champions to thine arms were sent; Terror and Death glared where he went; From the waves was heard a wail, that rent Thy murky sky! From Denmark thunders Tordenskiol', Let each to Heaven commend his soul, Let each to Heaven commend his soul, And fly!
Path of the Dane to fame and might! Dark-rolling wave! Receive thy friend, who, scorning flight, Goes to meet danger with despite, Proudly as thou the tempest's might, Dark-rolling wave! And amid pleasures and alarms, And war and victory, be thine arms, And war and victory, be thine arms, My grave!
Kong Christian lyrics in original Danish
Kong Christian stod ved højen mast i røg og damp; hans værge hamrede så fast, at gotens hjelm og hjerne brast. Da sank hvert fjendtligt spejl og mast i røg og damp. Fly, skreg de, fly, hvad flygte kan! hvo står for Danmarks Christian hvo står for Danmarks Christian i kamp?
Niels Juel gav agt på stormens brag. Nu er det tid. Han hejsede det røde flag og slog på fjenden slag i slag. Da skreg de højt blandt stormens brag: Nu er det tid! Fly, skreg de, hver, som véd et skjul! hvo kan bestå mod Danmarks Juel hvo kan bestå mod Danmarks Juel i strid?
O, Nordhav! Glimt af Wessel brød din mørke sky. Da ty'de kæmper til dit skød; thi med ham lynte skræk og død. Fra valen hørtes vrål, som brød den tykke sky. Fra Danmark lyner Tordenskjold; hver give sig i himlens vold hver give sig i himlens vold og fly!
Du danskes vej til ros og magt, sortladne hav! Modtag din ven, som uforsagt tør møde faren med foragt så stolt som du mod stormens magt, sortladne hav! Og rask igennem larm og spil og kamp og sejr før mig til og kamp og sejr før mig til min grav!