# Ons Heemecht

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National anthem of Luxembourg

Ons Heemecht English: 'Our Homeland' National anthem of Luxembourg Lyrics Michel Lentz, 1859 Music Jean Antoine Zinnen, 1864 Adopted 1895 (de facto) 1993 (de jure) Audio sample U.S. Navy Band instrumental rendition in B-flat major file help

"**Ons Heemecht**" (formerly "**Ons Hémecht**", pronounced [\[ons ˈheːməɕt\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/Luxembourgish); lit. 'Our Homeland') is the [national anthem](/source/National_anthem) of [Luxembourg](/source/Luxembourg). Written by [Michel Lentz](/source/Michel_Lentz) in 1859 and set to music by [Jean Antoine Zinnen](/source/Jean_Antoine_Zinnen) in 1864, it is performed at national celebrations, while the [grand ducal anthem](/source/Royal_anthem) "[De Wilhelmus](/source/De_Wilhelmus)" is performed at entrances or exits of members of the [Grand Ducal Family](/source/Grand_Ducal_Family_of_Luxembourg).[1]

## History

Luxembourgish poet [Michel Lentz](/source/Michel_Lentz) wrote the poem *Ons Heemecht* in 1859, and it was set to music by Luxembourgish composer [Jean Antoine Zinnen](/source/Jean_Antoine_Zinnen) in 1864. The song was first performed in public in [Ettelbruck](/source/Ettelbruck), a town at the confluence of the [Alzette](/source/Alzette) and [Sauer](/source/Sauer) rivers (both of which are mentioned in the song), on 5 June 1864.[1][2]

"Ons Heemecht" competed for a while with ["De Feierwon"](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=De_Feierwon&action=edit&redlink=1) [[lb](https://lb.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_Feierwon)], a song based on another poem by Lentz, for the status of the national anthem. The last line of the chorus of "De Feierwon" became the origin of Luxembourg's national motto.[2]

The first and last stanzas of "Ons Heemecht" were adopted as Luxembourg's national anthem on 17 June 1993, when it was added as one of the official national emblems, alongside the [national flag](/source/Flag_of_Luxembourg), the [national coat of arms](/source/Coat_of_arms_of_Luxembourg) and the [Grand Duke's Official Birthday](/source/Grand_Duke's_Official_Birthday).[3]

## Lyrics

The official version is only composed of the first and last stanzas.[4]

Luxembourgish original[5][6] IPA transcription Wou d'Uelzecht durech d'Wisen zéit, Duerch d'Fielsen d'Sauer brécht, Wou d'Rief laanscht d'Musel dofteg bléit, Den Himmel Wäin ons mécht: Dat as onst Land, fir dat mir[a] géif Hei nidden alles won, Ons Heemechtsland dat mir sou[b] déif An onsen Hierzer dron. An sengem donkle Bëscherkranz, Vum Fridde stëll bewaacht, Sou ouni Pronk an deire Glanz Gemittlech léif et laacht; Säi Vollek frou sech soë kann, An 't si keng eidel Dreem: Wéi wunnt et sech sou heemlech dran, Wéi as 't sou gutt doheem! Gesank, Gesank vu Bierg an Dall Der Äärd, déi äis gedron;[c] D'Léift huet en treie Widderhall A jidder Broschts[d] gedon; Fir, d'Hemecht[e] ass keng Weis ze schéin; All Wuert, dat vun er klénkt, Gräift äis[f] an d' Séil wéi Himmelstéin An d'A wéi Feier blénkt. O Du do uewen, deen seng Hand Duerch d'Welt d'Natioune leet, Behitt Du d'Lëtzebuerger Land Vru friemem Joch a Leed; Du hues ons all als Kanner schon De fräie Geescht jo ginn, Looss viru blénken d'Fräiheetssonn, Déi mir sou laang gesinn! [vəʊ̯ ˈduəlt͡səɕ ˈduʀəɕ ˈdviːzən t͡səɪ̯t du̯əɕ ˈtfi̯əlzən ˈdzɑʊ̯ɐ bʀəɕt vəʊ̯ dʀi̯əf laːnʃt ˈmuzəl ˈdoftəɕ bləɪ̯t dən ˈhiməl væːɪ̯n ons məɕt daːd ɑz onst lɑnt fiːɐ̯ daːt miːɐ̯ gəɪ̯f hɑɪ̯ ˈnidən ˈɑləs von ons ˈheːməɕ(t)sˌlɑn(t) daːt miːɐ̯ zəʊ̯ dəɪ̯f ɑn ˈonzən ˈhiːɐ̯t͡sɐ dʀon ɑn ˈzæŋəm ˈdoŋklə ˈbəʃɐˌkʀɑnt͡s fum ˈfʀidə ʃtəl bəˈvaːχt zəʊ̯ ˈəʊ̯ni pʀoŋg ɑn ˈdɑɪ̯ʀə glɑnt͡s gəˈmitləɕ ləɪ̯v ət laːχt zæːɪ̯ ˈfolək fʀəʊ̯ zəɕ ˈsoə kɑn ɑn tsi kæŋ ˈɑɪ̯dəl dʀeːm vəɪ̯ vund ət zəɕ zəʊ̯ ˈheːmləɕ dʀɑn vəɪ̯ ɑs tsəʊ̯ gut doˈheːm gəˈzɑŋk gəˈzɑŋk fu biːɐ̯ʑ ɑn dɑl dɐ ɛːɐ̯t dəɪ̯ æːɪ̯s gəˈdʀon dləɪ̯ft hu̯əd ən ˈtʀɑɪ̯ə ˈvidɐˌhɑl ɑ ˈʒidɐ bʀoʃts gəˈdon fiːɐ̯ ˈtheːməɕt ɑs kæŋ vɑɪ̯s t͡sə ʃəɪ̯n ɑl vu̯ət daːt fun ɐ kleŋkt gʀæːɪ̯vd æːɪ̯z ɑn dzəɪ̯l vəɪ̯ ˈhiməlˌʃtəɪ̯n ɑn daː vəɪ̯ ˈfɑɪ̯ɐ bleŋkt o du do ˈu̯əvən deːn zæŋ hɑnt du̯əɕ dvælt nɑˈt͡sjəʊ̯nə leːt bəˈhit du ˈdlətt͡səˌbu̯əjɐ lɑnt fʀu ˈfʀi̯əməm joχ ɑ leːt du hu̯əz ons ɑl ɑls ˈkɑ(n)nɐ ʃon də ˈfʀæːɪ̯ə geːʃt jo gin loːs ˈfiʀu ˈbleŋkən ˈtfʀæːɪ̯heːtsˌson dəɪ̯ miːɐ̯ zəʊ̯ laːŋ gəˈzin]

English translation[g] German translation[h] French translation[i] Where Alzette winds through meadows fair, Through rocky cliffs the Sauer flows, Where vineyards bloom along the Moselle, And heaven’s wine bestows. This is our land, for which we’d dare All things here down below, 𝄆 Our homeland, dear, so deeply loved, Within our hearts we know. 𝄇 Within her shady forest ring, By peaceful watch kept still, Without display or gilded gleam, She smiles with gentle will; Her people happy in their hearts, No empty dreams they know: 𝄆 How sweetly life is lived therein, How good it is to go. 𝄇 From hill to dale, the songs resound, The earth that gave us birth; Love echoes true in every breast, A loyal, faithful mirth; For homeland, none can sing too fair, Each word that speaks her name 𝄆 Touches our souls like heavenly stones, And sparks our eyes like flame. 𝄇 O Thou on high, whose mighty hand Guides nations near and far, Protect our Luxembourgish land From foreign yoke and war; Give unto us, as once of old, The spirit of the free; 𝄆 Let liberty’s bright, glorious sun Shine ever o’er our plea. 𝄇[1][11][12] Wo die Alzette durch die Wiesen zieht, Durch die Felsen die Sauer bricht, Die Rebe längs der Mosel blüht, Der Himmel Wein verspricht: Dort ist das Land, für dessen Ehr Kein Opfer uns zu schwer, 𝄆 Die Heimat, die als teures Gut In unseren Herzen ruht. 𝄇[12] In seinem dunklen Wälderkranz, vom Frieden still bewacht, So ohne Prunk und teuren Glanz, Gemütlich lieb es lacht. Sein Volk sich glücklich sagen kann, Und es sind keine leeren Träume: 𝄆 Wie heimelig sich's doch hier wohnt, wie gut ist's doch daheim. 𝄇 Gesang, Gesang, von Berg und Tal Die Erd', die uns getragen, Die Lieb' hat einen treuen Widerhall In jeder Brust getan. Für die Heimat ist keine Weise zu schön, Jedes Wort, das aus ihr klingt, 𝄆 Ergreift die Seel' wie Himmelstön' Und unser Auge wie Feuer blinkt. 𝄇 O Du dort droben, dessen Hand Den Völkern gibt Geleit, Behüt das Luxemburger Land Vor fremdem Joch, vor Leid! Als Kind empfingen wir von Dir Den freiheitlichen Sinn, 𝄆 Die Freiheitssonne, unsre Zier, Lass leuchten fernerhin! 𝄇[12] Où l'Alzette arrose champs et prés La Sûre baigne les rochers; Où la Moselle, riante et belle Nous fait cadeau du vin C'est notre pays pour lequel Nous risquons tout sur terre; 𝄆 Notr'chère et adorable patrie Dont notr'âme est remplie. 𝄇[12][13] Dans sa couronne bois sombre toujours gardée par la paix, Donc, sans faste et la splendeur cher, Confortable à l'amour en riant. Son peuple puisse dire est heureux Et il n'ya pas de rêves vides : 𝄆 Comment est agréable mais voici la vie, dans quelle mesure est-il de la maison. 𝄇 Chant, chant, de la montagne et la vallée La terre, qui nous portait, Les « amoureux a un écho fidèle » effectué dans chaque sein. Pour le pays quelque façon que ce soit trop beau Chaque mot qui sonne hors de lui, 𝄆 Prendre l'âme comme Himmelstön Et nos yeux brillants comme le feu. 𝄇 Ô Toi aux cieux qui nuit et jour Diriges les nations du monde; Écarte du pays de Luxembourg L'oppression étrangère Enfants nous avons reçu de Toi L'esprit de la liberté; 𝄆 Permets au soleil de liberté De luire à tout jamais. 𝄇[12][13]

## Notes

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Occasionally written *mer* [\[mɐ\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/Luxembourgish),[7][8] the corresponding [unstressed pronoun](/source/Luxembourgish#Nominal_syntax).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Occasionally written *so* [\[zo\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/Luxembourgish).[7][8]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Sometimes written *Der Ierd, déi ons gedron* [\[dɐ ˈiːɐ̯t dəɪ̯ ons ɡəˈdʀon\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/Luxembourgish).[9]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Sometimes written *Broscht*.[9][10]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** Sometimes written *d'Heemecht*.[10]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** Sometimes written *ons*.[9]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** Adapted from a translation by Nicholas Weydert.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** Adapted from a translation by Joseph Groben.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** Adapted from a translation by Jean-Claude Muller.

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:0_1-2) ["Knowledge Bites: Ons Heemecht and De Wilhelmus – Luxembourg's Anthems"](https://web.archive.org/web/20220202151358/https://today.rtl.lu/your-luxembourg/knowledge-bites/a/1738026.html). *[RTL Today](/source/RTL_Today)*. Archived from [the original](https://today.rtl.lu/your-luxembourg/knowledge-bites/a/1738026.html) on 2022-02-02. Retrieved 2022-02-02.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:1_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:1_2-1) ["Record attempt planned to celebrate Luxembourg national anthem's 150 anniversary"](https://www.luxtimes.lu/en/luxembourg/record-attempt-planned-to-celebrate-luxembourg-national-anthem-s-150-anniversary-602d40b4de135b92364288d3). *[Luxembourg Times](/source/Luxembourg_Times)*. 2017-12-11. Retrieved 2022-02-02.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["The National Day: Celebrations of the Grand Duke's birthday | Cour grand-ducale"](https://monarchie.lu/en/head-state/national-day). *Grand Ducal Court of Luxembourg*. Retrieved 2022-02-02.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["National anthem"](http://luxembourg.public.lu/en/society-and-culture/political-system/national-anthem-2021.html). *luxembourg.public.lu*. Retrieved 2022-02-02.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** [*Lëtzebuergesch fir 4C a 4G*](https://gouvernement.lu/dam-assets/documents/actualites/2022/01-janvier/27-lycee-letzebuergesch/reader-letzebuergesch-4C-4G.pdf) (PDF). Government of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. 2022-01-27. p. 3 (4 in file). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-99959-1-423-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-99959-1-423-3). Retrieved 2022-02-02.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Hoffmann, Fernand (1964). [*Geschichte der Luxemburger Mundartdichtung: Bd. Von den Anfängen bis zu Michel Rodange*](https://books.google.com/books?id=McDbAAAAMAAJ&q=%22Feier+bl%C3%A9nkt%22+-wikipedia) (in Luxembourgish). Bourg-Bourger. p. 283.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Gonner_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Gonner_7-1) Gonner, Nicholas (1879). [*Onserer lider a gedichter an onserer Letzeburger - deitscher sproch*](https://books.google.com/books?id=ersQAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA5) (in Luxembourgish). Luxemburger gazette. p. 5.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Schurdel_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Schurdel_8-1) Schurdel, Harry D. (2006). [*Nationalhymnen der Welt: Entstehung und Gehalt*](https://books.google.com/books?id=lTYYAQAAIAAJ&q=%22fir+dat+mer+g%C3%A9if%22) (in German). Atlantis Musikbuch-Verlag. p. 134. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-3-254-08221-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-3-254-08221-3).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Kropemann_11-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Kropemann_11-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Kropemann_11-2) ["Kropemann-Info Nummer 59"](https://www.redange.lu/fileadmin/uploads/administration/Kropemann/Krop-Info_06_06.pdf) (PDF). *www.redange.lu*. June 2006. p. 1. Retrieved 2022-02-02.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-ALP_13-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-ALP_13-1) ["Ons Heemecht"](http://www.alp-letzebuerg.eu/Ons%20Heemecht.htm). *Associatioun 1928 Lëtzebuerger Patrioten*. Retrieved 2022-02-02.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-National_symbols_20-0)** ["National symbols"](http://luxembourg.public.lu/en/society-and-culture/political-system/national-symbols.html). *luxembourg.public.lu*. Retrieved 2022-02-03.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Voila_21-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Voila_21-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Voila_21-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Voila_21-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Voila_21-4) [*Voila Luxembourg*](https://books.google.com/books?id=mBkDCHnqcfQC&q=%22Nous+fait+cadeau+du+vin%22) (in French). Editions Guy Binsfeld. 1993. p. 45.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Moscow_Embassy_22-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Moscow_Embassy_22-1) ["Ons Hémécht"](https://web.archive.org/web/20220202161822/https://moscou.mae.lu/en/General-Information-about-Luxembourg/National-Anthem). *Embassy of Luxembourg in Moscow*. Archived from [the original](https://moscou.mae.lu/en/General-Information-about-Luxembourg/National-Anthem) on 2022-02-02. Retrieved 2022-02-02.

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [National anthem of Luxembourg](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:National_anthem_of_Luxembourg).

- [Details](https://luxembourg.public.lu/en/society-and-culture/political-system/national-anthem-2021.html), Grand Duchy of Luxembourg ([archive link](https://web.archive.org/web/20190803205805/https://luxembourg.public.lu/en/le-grand-duche-se-presente/symboles-nationaux/hymne/index.html))

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Ons Heemecht](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ons_Heemecht) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ons_Heemecht?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.