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Auferstanden aus Ruinen

  • ️Wed Nov 02 2011
Auferstanden aus Ruinen
English: Risen from Ruins
Nationalhymne der DDR.svg
National anthem of the GDR
anthem of
 East Germany
Lyrics Johannes R. Becher, 1949
Music Hanns Eisler, 1949
Adopted 1949
Relinquished 3rd October 1990
Music sample

Auferstanden aus Ruinen (German for "Risen from Ruins") was the national anthem of East Germany (German Democratic Republic (GDR), German: Deutsche Demokratische Republik (DDR)) during its existence from 1949 to 1990.

History

In 1949, the Soviet 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" (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 GDR constitution, and only the 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.

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".

Lyrics

German lyrics


Auferstanden aus Ruinen
und der Zukunft zugewandt,
laßt 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,
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 keine Mutter mehr
ihren Sohn beweint,
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,
über Deutschland scheint...

Literal English translation

Risen from ruins
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...

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...

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