Comments on: National German Anthem http://www.transparent.com/german/national-german-anthem/ Language and Culture of the German-Speaking World Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:48:02 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Tony http://www.transparent.com/german/national-german-anthem/comment-page-1/#comment-206 Tony Thu, 23 Jul 2009 04:12:25 +0000 http://www.transparent.com/german/?p=94#comment-206 I believe the other stanzas are not sung because they were associated with nazi propaganda. The first stanza in particular seemed to flaunt german superiority; the first line reads "Deutschland uber alles - uber alles in der Weld" meaning "Germany over all - over all in the world". However, the original anthem was written in 1841 (I think), so it has no direct connection to nazism. I am not german, nor am I a history expert, but I seriously doubt the original intent of the words were to claim German supremacy; the song only intends to say that they value germany "before all others" and not "over all" as it literally translates. However, the "uber alles" line was exploited by propagandists (probably on both sides) during WWII, and it was forever associated with nazism. Today's anthem is a combination of lines written after WWII and the original theme, with the first two stanza of the original ("Das Deutschlandleid") completely stricken. Please don't assume what I'm writing here is completely correct since I've only casually skimmed over the facts - but the basic reason the first two verses aren't in there is because they were banned after WWII. I believe the other stanzas are not sung because they were associated with nazi propaganda. The first stanza in particular seemed to flaunt german superiority; the first line reads “Deutschland uber alles – uber alles in der Weld” meaning “Germany over all – over all in the world”. However, the original anthem was written in 1841 (I think), so it has no direct connection to nazism. I am not german, nor am I a history expert, but I seriously doubt the original intent of the words were to claim German supremacy; the song only intends to say that they value germany “before all others” and not “over all” as it literally translates. However, the “uber alles” line was exploited by propagandists (probably on both sides) during WWII, and it was forever associated with nazism. Today’s anthem is a combination of lines written after WWII and the original theme, with the first two stanza of the original (“Das Deutschlandleid”) completely stricken. Please don’t assume what I’m writing here is completely correct since I’ve only casually skimmed over the facts – but the basic reason the first two verses aren’t in there is because they were banned after WWII.

]]> By: David http://www.transparent.com/german/national-german-anthem/comment-page-1/#comment-205 David Thu, 23 Jul 2009 03:19:56 +0000 http://www.transparent.com/german/?p=94#comment-205 Oh, and as for the second stanza, it refers to certain borders has no revelance today since Germany has used a lot of its land. Oh, and as for the second stanza, it refers to certain borders has no revelance today since Germany has used a lot of its land.

]]> By: David http://www.transparent.com/german/national-german-anthem/comment-page-1/#comment-204 David Thu, 23 Jul 2009 03:17:23 +0000 http://www.transparent.com/german/?p=94#comment-204 Well, many national anthems aren't sung all the way through. In Germany's case, only the third stanza was adopted as the official anthem. Why this is the case, I don't totally know. But from what I've read, it seems the first stanza dealt has a bit of controversy attatched to it. Well, many national anthems aren’t sung all the way through. In Germany’s case, only the third stanza was adopted as the official anthem.

Why this is the case, I don’t totally know. But from what I’ve read, it seems the first stanza dealt has a bit of controversy attatched to it.

]]> By: Jose Soler Baillo http://www.transparent.com/german/national-german-anthem/comment-page-1/#comment-203 Jose Soler Baillo Thu, 23 Jul 2009 02:51:22 +0000 http://www.transparent.com/german/?p=94#comment-203 I like also the German Anthem,but...Why the first and second stanzas aren't sung??? I like also the German Anthem,but…Why the first and second stanzas aren’t sung???

]]> By: David http://www.transparent.com/german/national-german-anthem/comment-page-1/#comment-202 David Tue, 21 Jul 2009 01:32:21 +0000 http://www.transparent.com/german/?p=94#comment-202 I love the tune to this anthem! It's actually my favorite anthems of all the ones I've heard so far. I like it a lot. :D I love the tune to this anthem! It’s actually my favorite anthems of all the ones I’ve heard so far. I like it a lot. :D

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