Swiss Psalm

The "Swiss Psalm" is the national anthem of Switzerland.

Its history dates back to 1841, when the anthem was composed by Alberik Zwyssig (1808-1854). Since then it has been frequently sung on patriotic events. The Federal Council declined to accept the psalm as the official anthem numerous times, though. This was because they wanted the people to decide what they like as the national song.

Since 1961, it provisionally replaces "Rufst Du mein Vaterland" ("When you call, my fatherland", in French: "O Monts indépendants", in Italian: "Ci chiami o patria", in Romansh: "E clomas, tger paeis"), the anthem by Johann Rudolf Wyss (1743-1818) on the melody of "God Save the Queen".

Finally on April 1, 1981 it was declared the official Swiss anthem.

Lyrics

The German text by Leonhard Widmer (1809-1867) has been translated to all Swiss official languages. The Romansh version in Ladinish is by Gion Antoni Bühler (1825-1897) and in Surselvish by