DEN DANSKE NATIONALSANG
 
 
Der er et yndigt land,
det står med brede bøge
nær salten østerstrand;(2)
det bugter sig i bakke, dal,
det hedder gamle Danmark,
og det er Frejas Sal.(2)

Der sad i fordums tid
de harniskklædte kæmper,
udhvilede fra strid;(2)
så drog de frem til fjenders mén
nu hvile deres bene
bag højens bautasten.(2)

Det land endnu er skønt,
thi blå sig søen bælter,
og løvet står så grønt;(2)
og ædle kvinder, skønne mø'r
og mænd og raske svende
bebo de danskes øer(2)

Hil drot og fædreland!
Hil hver en danneborger,
som virker, hvad han kan!(2)
Vort gamle Danmark skal bestå,
så længe bøgen spejler
sin top i bølgen blå.(2)

(The bold text represents the short version.)


English Translation

I know a lovely land
With spreading, shady beeches
Near Baltic's salty strand;(2)
Its hills and valleys gently fall,
Its ancient name is Denmark,
And it is Freya's hall.(2)

There in the ancient days
The armoured vikings rested
Between their bloody frays(2)
Then they went forth the foe to face,
Now found in stone-set barrows,
Their final resting place.(2)

This land is still as fair,
The sea is blue around it,
And peace is cherished there.(2)
Strong men and noble women still
Uphold their country's honour
With faithfulness and skill(2)

Praise King and Country with might
Bless every Dane at heart
For serving with no fright(2)
The Viking kingdom for Danes is true
With fields and waving beeches
By a sea so blue(2)

(This is a translation into English verse and not a literal one.)

Lyrics: Adam Gottlob Oehlenschläger (1779-1850)
Music: Hans Ernst Krøyer (1798-1879)
Written: 1820
Composed: 1823
Adopted: 1844
 
DANMARKS KONGESANG
(The Royal National Anthem)
 
 
Kong Kristian stod ved højen mast
i røg og damp;
hans værge hamrede så fast,
at gotens hjelm og hjerte brast.
Da sank hvert fjendtligt spejl og mast
i røg og damp.
Fly, skreg de, fly, hvad flygte kan!
hvo står for Danmarks Kristian(2)
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(2)
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 vallen hørtes vrål, som brød
den tykke sky.
Fra Danmark lyner Tordenskjold;
hver give sig i himlens vold(2)
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 sejer før mig til(2)
min grav!


English Translation

King Christian stood by tow'ring mast,
In mist and smoke.
His sword was hammering so fast,
Through Gothic helm and brain it passed
Then sank each hostile stern and mast
In mist and smoke
"Fly!" shouted they, "fly, he who can,
Who stands 'gainst Denmark's Christian(2)
in fray?"

Niels Juel observ'd the tempest's blow:
"Now ! For your life!"
Aloft he bade the red flag go,
And stroke on stroke he dealt the foe.
They cried then tro' the tempest's blow:
"Now! For your life!
Fly!" cried they all, "for shelter fly!
For who can Denmark's Juel defy(2)
in strife?"

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,(2)
And fly!"

Thou path of Danes to praise and might,
Black-surging sea!
Receive thy friend, who feels no fright,
But faces danger with despite,
As proud as thou the tempest's might,
Black-surging sea!
And lead me brisk thro' din and rave,
And fright and vict'ry to my grave(2)
in thee.


Lyrics: Johannes Ewald (1743-1781)
Music: Friedrich Kuhlau (1786-1832)
Written: 1780
Composed: 1828
Adopted: 1830
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Updated 17-mar-2001