National anthem of the Orange Free State

The national anthem of the Orange Free State (Afrikaans

Afrikaans

Afrikaans is a West Germanic language, spoken natively in South Africa and Namibia. It is a daughter language of Dutch, originating in its 17th century dialects, collectively referred to as Cape Dutch .Afrikaans is a daughter language of Dutch; see , , , , , .Afrikaans was historically called Cape...

: Vrystaatse Volkslied, Dutch

Dutch language

Dutch is a West Germanic language and the native language of the majority of the population of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Suriname, the three member states of the Dutch Language Union. Most speakers live in the European Union, where it is a first language for about 23 million and a second...

: Volkslied van de Oranje Vrijstaat) was used from 1854 until 1902 as the national anthem of the Orange Free State

Orange Free State

The Orange Free State was an independent Boer republic in southern Africa during the second half of the 19th century, and later a British colony and a province of the Union of South Africa. It is the historical precursor to the present-day Free State province...

Lyrics

Dutch original	English translation
Heft, Burgers, 't lied der vrijheid aan En zingt ons eigen volksbestaan! Van vreemde banden vrij, Bekleedt ons klein gemenebest, Op orde, wet en recht gevest, Rang in der Staten rij. Rang in der Staten rij. Al heeft ons land een klein begin, Wij gaan met moed de toekomst in, Het oog op God gericht, Die niet beschaamt wie op Hem bouwt, Op Hem als op een burcht vertrouwt, Die voor geen stormen zwicht. Die voor geen stormen zwicht. Zie in gena' en liefde neer Op onze President, o Heer! Wees Gij zijn toeverlaat! De taak, die op zijn schouders rust, Vervulle hij met trouw en lust Tot heil van volk en staat! Tot heil van volk en staat! Bescherm, o God, de Raad van't land, Geleid hem aan Uw vaderhand, Verlicht hem van omhoog, Opdat zijn werk geheiligd zij En vaderland en burgerij Ten zegen strekken moog'! Ten zegen strekken moog'! Heil, driewerf heil de dierb're Staat, het Volk, de President, de Raad! Ja, bloei' naar ons gezang De Vrijstaat en zijn burgerij, In deugden groot, van smetten vrij, Nog tal van eeuwen lang! Nog tal van eeuwen lang!	Raise, burghers, the song of freedom and our own existence as a people. Free from foreign bonds, Holds our small community founded on order, law and justice Rank among the states Rank among the states Even though our land has a small beginning, we step into the future with courage, our eye fixed on God, Who does not shame who builds on Him and trusts in Him as a fortress that does not yield to any storms that does not yield to any storms Look down in mercy on our President, o Lord! Be Thou his recourse The task that rests on his shoulders may he fulfill with loyalty and eagerness to the benefit of people and state to the benefit of people and state Protect, o God, the Council of the land Guide it by your Fatherly Hand Illuminate it from above So that its work may be sanctified and may serve to bless fatherland and citizenry. fatherland and citizenry. Hail, thrice hail, the beloved State, the People, the President, the Council! Yes, may flourish at our song the Free State and its citizens. great in virtue, free of stains for many ages to come! for many ages to come!

Dutch original

English translation

Heft, Burgers, 't lied der vrijheid aan

En zingt ons eigen volksbestaan!

Van vreemde banden vrij,

Bekleedt ons klein gemenebest,

Op orde, wet en recht gevest,

Rang in der Staten rij.

Al heeft ons land een klein begin,

Wij gaan met moed de toekomst in,

Het oog op God gericht,

Die niet beschaamt wie op Hem bouwt,

Op Hem als op een burcht vertrouwt,

Die voor geen stormen zwicht.

Zie in gena' en liefde neer

Op onze President, o Heer!

Wees Gij zijn toeverlaat!

De taak, die op zijn schouders rust,

Vervulle hij met trouw en lust

Tot heil van volk en staat!

Bescherm, o God, de Raad van't land,

Geleid hem aan Uw vaderhand,

Verlicht hem van omhoog,

Opdat zijn werk geheiligd zij

En vaderland en burgerij

Ten zegen strekken moog'!

Heil, driewerf heil de dierb're Staat,

het Volk, de President, de Raad!

Ja, bloei' naar ons gezang

De Vrijstaat en zijn burgerij,

In deugden groot, van smetten vrij,

Nog tal van eeuwen lang!

Raise, burghers, the song of freedom

and our own existence as a people.

Free from foreign bonds,

Holds our small community

founded on order, law and justice

Rank among the states

Even though our land has a small beginning,

we step into the future with courage,

our eye fixed on God,

Who does not shame who builds on Him

and trusts in Him as a fortress

that does not yield to any storms

Look down in mercy

on our President, o Lord!

Be Thou his recourse

The task that rests on his shoulders

may he fulfill with loyalty and eagerness

to the benefit of people and state

Protect, o God, the Council of the land

Guide it by your Fatherly Hand

Illuminate it from above

So that its work may be sanctified

and may serve to bless

fatherland and citizenry.

Hail, thrice hail, the beloved State,

the People, the President, the Council!

Yes, may flourish at our song

the Free State and its citizens.

great in virtue, free of stains

for many ages to come!

Lyrics

Published versions

See also