Auferstanden aus Ruinen
Encyclopedia
was the national anthem
of East Germany (German Democratic Republic (GDR)) during its existence from 1949 to 1990.
Zone of Allied-occupied Germany
became a Socialist
country called the German Democratic Republic
(GDR).
For an anthem, lyrics were written by the poet
Johannes R. Becher
(who later became Minister of Culture) .
Two musicians proposed music to Becher's lyrics, and the version of Hanns Eisler
was selected. He had been in exile in the 1930s and might not have noticed that his music was very similar to the 1930s hit song Goodbye Johnny sung by Hans Albers
.
Written in 1949, the 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" (), 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.
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 GDR constitution, and only the anthem's tune was played on official occasions. No new lyrics were ever written to replace Becher's which continued to be used unofficially.
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.
"Das Lied der Deutschen
" of 1841, was again the anthem of a united Germany
. East German Prime Minister
Lothar de Maizière
had proposed that Becher's lyrics be added to the united German anthem, but this was rejected by Chancellor
Helmut Kohl
.
At the end of its last broadcast on 2 October 1990, the East German station Radio Berlin International
signed off with an instrumental of "Auferstanden aus Ruinen" that segued into a rock-beat version of the "Deutschlandlied".
and facing the future,
let us serve you for the good,
Germany, united fatherland.
There are old woes to overcome
and united we are overcoming them
because we must succeed,
so that the sun more beautiful than ever
over Germany shines,
over Germany shines.
May happiness and peace be granted
to Germany, our fatherland.
All the world longs for peace,
reach your hand out to the peoples.
If we unite in brotherhood,
we shall defeat the people's enemy.
Let the light of peace shine
so that no mother should ever more
mourn her son,
mourn her son.
Let us plough, let us build,
learn and create like never before,
and, confident in our own strength,
let a free generation rise up.
German youth, with the best efforts
of our people united in you,
you will become Germany's new life.
And the sun more beautiful than ever,
over Germany shines,
over Germany shines...
From the ruins risen newly,
to the future turned, we stand.
Let us serve your good will truly,
Germany, our fatherland.
Triumph over bygone sorrow,
can in unity be won.
For we shall attain a morrow,
when over our Germany,
there is radiant sun,
there is radiant 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,
mourn her son in woe.
Let us plough and build our nation,
learn and work as never yet,
that a free new generation,
faith in its own strength beget!
German youth, for whom the striving
of our people is at one,
you are Germany's reviving,
and over our Germany,
there is radiant sun,
there is radiant sun...
National anthem
A national anthem is a generally patriotic musical composition that evokes and eulogizes the history, traditions and struggles of its people, recognized either by a nation's government as the official national song, or by convention through use by the people.- History :Anthems rose to prominence...
of East Germany (German Democratic Republic (GDR)) during its existence from 1949 to 1990.
History
In 1949, the SovietSoviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
Zone of Allied-occupied Germany
Allied Occupation Zones in Germany
The Allied powers who defeated Nazi Germany in World War II divided the country west of the Oder-Neisse line into four occupation zones for administrative purposes during 1945–49. In the closing weeks of fighting in Europe, US forces had pushed beyond the previously agreed boundaries for the...
became a Socialist
Socialism
Socialism is an economic system characterized by social ownership of the means of production and cooperative management of the economy; or a political philosophy advocating such a system. "Social ownership" may refer to any one of, or a combination of, the following: cooperative enterprises,...
country called the German Democratic Republic
German Democratic Republic
The German Democratic Republic , informally called East Germany by West Germany and other countries, was a socialist state established in 1949 in the Soviet zone of occupied Germany, including East Berlin of the Allied-occupied capital city...
(GDR).
For an anthem, lyrics were written by the poet
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
Johannes R. Becher
Johannes R. Becher
Johannes Robert Becher was a German politician, novelist, and poet.-Early life:Johannes R. Becher was the son of Judge Heinrich Becher. In 1910 he tried to commit suicide with a friend; only Becher survived. From 1911 he studied medicine and philosophy in Munich and Jena...
(who later became Minister of Culture) .
Two musicians proposed music to Becher's lyrics, and the version of Hanns Eisler
Hanns Eisler
Hanns Eisler was an Austrian composer.-Family background:Eisler was born in Leipzig where his Jewish father, Rudolf Eisler, was a professor of philosophy...
was selected. He had been in exile in the 1930s and might not have noticed that his music was very similar to the 1930s hit song Goodbye Johnny sung by Hans Albers
Hans Albers
Hans Philipp August Albers was a German actor and singer. He was the single biggest male movie star in Germany between 1930 and 1945 and one of the most popular German actors of the twentieth century.- Life and work :...
.
Written in 1949, the 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" (), meaning Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
as a whole. However, this concept soon would not conform to an increasingly icy Cold War context, especially after the Berlin Wall
Berlin Wall
The Berlin Wall was a barrier constructed by the German Democratic Republic starting on 13 August 1961, that completely cut off West Berlin from surrounding East Germany and from East Berlin...
had been erected in 1961 by the East German government.
In 1973, East and West Germany
West Germany
West Germany is the common English, but not official, name for the Federal Republic of Germany or FRG in the period between its creation in May 1949 to German reunification on 3 October 1990....
were admitted to the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
simultaneously, following talks between the two governments that conferred a degree of mutual recognition. The term Germany was later removed from the GDR constitution, and only the anthem's tune was played on official occasions. No new lyrics were ever written to replace Becher's which continued to be used unofficially.
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
German reunification
German reunification was the process in 1990 in which the German Democratic Republic joined the Federal Republic of Germany , and when Berlin reunited into a single city, as provided by its then Grundgesetz constitution Article 23. The start of this process is commonly referred by Germans as die...
in 1990.
"Das Lied der Deutschen
Das Lied der Deutschen
The "'" , has been used wholly or partially as the national anthem of Germany since 1922. The music was written by Joseph Haydn in 1797 as an anthem for the birthday of the Austrian Emperor Francis II of the Holy Roman Empire...
" of 1841, was again the anthem of a united Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. East German Prime Minister
Prime minister
A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
Lothar de Maizière
Lothar de Maizière
Lothar de Maizière is a German christian democratic politician. In 1990, he served as the only democratically elected Prime Minister of the German Democratic Republic, and as such was the last leader of an independent East Germany....
had proposed that Becher's lyrics be added to the united German anthem, but this was rejected by Chancellor
Chancellor
Chancellor is the title of various official positions in the governments of many nations. The original chancellors were the Cancellarii of Roman courts of justice—ushers who sat at the cancelli or lattice work screens of a basilica or law court, which separated the judge and counsel from the...
Helmut Kohl
Helmut Kohl
Helmut Josef Michael Kohl is a German conservative politician and statesman. He was Chancellor of Germany from 1982 to 1998 and the chairman of the Christian Democratic Union from 1973 to 1998...
.
At the end of its last broadcast on 2 October 1990, the East German station Radio Berlin International
Radio Berlin International
Radio Berlin International was the international broadcaster for the German Democratic Republic . It started in May 1959 to counter Deutsche Welle, the West German international broadcaster. Much of its output was news reports and information about the GDR. It offered a state-sponsored view on life...
signed off with an instrumental of "Auferstanden aus Ruinen" that segued into a rock-beat version of the "Deutschlandlied".
German lyrics
Literal English translation
Risen from ruinsand facing the future,
let us serve you for the good,
Germany, united fatherland.
There are old woes to overcome
and united we are overcoming them
because we must succeed,
so that the sun more beautiful than ever
over Germany shines,
over Germany shines.
May happiness and peace be granted
to Germany, our fatherland.
All the world longs for peace,
reach your hand out to the peoples.
If we unite in brotherhood,
we shall defeat the people's enemy.
Let the light of peace shine
so that no mother should ever more
mourn her son,
mourn her son.
Let us plough, let us build,
learn and create like never before,
and, confident in our own strength,
let a free generation rise up.
German youth, with the best efforts
of our people united in you,
you will become Germany's new life.
And the sun more beautiful than ever,
over Germany shines,
over Germany shines...
Official English-language version
From the ruins risen newly,
to the future turned, we stand.
Let us serve your good will truly,
Germany, our fatherland.
Triumph over bygone sorrow,
can in unity be won.
For we shall attain a morrow,
when over our Germany,
there is radiant sun,
there is radiant 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,
mourn her son in woe.
Let us plough and build our nation,
learn and work as never yet,
that a free new generation,
faith in its own strength beget!
German youth, for whom the striving
of our people is at one,
you are Germany's reviving,
and over our Germany,
there is radiant sun,
there is radiant sun...
