Des Deutschen Vaterland

Was ist des Deutschen Vaterland is a German patriotic song by Ernst Moritz Arndt (1813) which was popular in the 19th century.

In the text, Arndt asks the German question and answers it by demanding a Greater German Nation state comprising all German-speaking areas in Europe. The song was performed for the first time in Berlin in 1814.

As the original tune did not become popular, Gustav Reichardt wrote a new melody in 1825. This new tune made the song very popular among the German population that desired the transformation of the German Confederation into a united empire.

Joachim Raff used Reichhardt′s tune as a leitmotif in his symphony An das Vaterland.

Arndt enumerates German states and regions and asks whether these particular areas are the fatherland of all Germans. He immediately replies with ″no″ and finally concludes that no particular state is the German′s fatherland. The entire, united Germany is.

1. Was ist des Deutschen Vaterland?
Ist’s Preußenland? Ist’s Schwabenland?
Ist’s, wo am Rhein die Rebe blüht?
Ist’s, wo am Belt die Möwe zieht?
O nein, nein, nein!
Sein Vaterland muss größer sein!

1. What is the German’s fatherland?
Is it Prussia, is it Swabia?
Is it where the vines blossom on the Rhine?
Is it where the gull moves on the Belt?
Oh no! oh no! oh no! oh no!
His fatherland must be greater!

2. Was ist des Deutschen Vaterland?
Ist’s Bayerland? Ist’s Steierland?
Ist’s, wo des Marsen Rind sich streckt?
Ist’s, wo der Märker Eisen reckt?
O nein, nein, nein!
Sein Vaterland muss größer sein!

2. What is the German’s fatherland?
Is it Bavaria, is it Styria?
Is it where the cattle of the Marsi roam?
Is it where the citizens of the Mark mold iron?
Oh no! oh no! oh no! oh no!
His fatherland must be greater!

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Wikipedia