Auferstanden aus Ruinen
Auferstanden aus Ruinen (Risen from the Ruins) was the national anthem of East Germany (German Democratic
Republic, German: Deutsche Demokratische Republik, DDR). It
was composed by Hanns Eisler and the text was written by the poet Johannes R. Becher who later became minister of education. Surprisingly, the much more influential
dramatist and poet Bertolt
Brecht was not asked to write the lyrics.
In Becher's lyrics, the word Germany (as opposed to German Democratic
Republic) is mentioned five times; additionally, it speaks of a united fatherland. At the latest after the building of
the Berlin Wall in August 13,
1961 this was no longer concordant with the politics of the DDR government. Thus, after the
term Germany had also been removed from the DDR constitution in September
7, 1974, the lyrics were no longer sung. On official occasions, only Eisler's melody
was performed.
Auferstanden aus Ruinen ceased to be a national anthem when the two Germanys united in 1990 and Das Lied der Deutschen, which was
already the anthem of West Germany, was adopted for all of Germany.
GERMAN LYRICS
Auferstanden aus Ruinen und der Zukunft zugewandt,
laß 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. (bis)
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 eine Mutter mehr
ihren Sohn beweint. (bis)
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. (bis)
ENGLISH TRANSLATION
Risen from the ruins and turned toward the future,
Let us serve you for the greater good, Germany, united Fatherland.
Our task is to defeat old woes, and we shall defeat them together,
Because we must succeed so that the sun, more beautifully than ever before,
Shines over Germany. (bis)
May fortune and peace be granted to Germany, our Fatherland.
The whole world longs for peace, extend your hand to all peoples.
If we unite fraternally, we will defeat the enemy of the People.
Let the light of peace shine, so that a mother never again
Mourns her son. (bis)
Let us plough, let us build, learn and work as never before,
And, trusting in its own strength, a free generation shall arise.
German youth, the best endeavor of our people who are united in you,
You will be Germany's new life. And the sun, more beautifully than ever before
Shines over Germany. (bis)
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