The official anthem consists of stanza (1) and (4) only.
Wou d'Uelzecht durech d'Wisen zéit,
Duerch d'Fielsen d'Sauer brécht,
Wou d'Rief laanschr d'Musel dofteg bléit,
Den Himmel Wäin ons mécht:
Dat ass onst Land, fir dat mer géif
Hei nidden alles won,
Ons Heemechtsland dat mir so déif
An onsen Hierzer dron.
Ons Heemechtland dat mir so déif
An onsen Hierzer dron
(4)
O Du do uewen, deem seng Hand
Duerch d'Welt d'Natioune leet,
Behitt Du d'Lëtzebuerger Land
Vru friemen 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!
Looss viru blénken d'Fräiheetssonn,
Déi mir sou laang gesinn!
Official English Translation :
(1)
Where the Alzette flows through the meadows
The Sura bathes the rocks;
Where the Moselle, smilling and beautiful
We made a Present of wine
This is our country for which
We risk everything on earth;
Our homeland and adorable home
Our soul which is fulfilled.
Our homeland and adorable home
Our soul which is fulfilled.
(4)
O Thou in heaven that night and day
Leads the nation in the world;
Excludes the country of Luxembourg
The foreign oppression
Children we have received from you
The spirit of liberty;
Let the sun of freedom
To shine forever.
Let the sun of freedom
To shine forever.
Written by Michel Lentz (May 21, 1820 - September 8, 1893) in 1859, set to music by the Luxembourgian composer Jean Antoine Zinnen (April 25, 1827 - May 16, 1898) in 1864.
Michel Lentz, who was a member of the ALM's central committee (Allgemeiner Luxemburger Musikverein), had written the poem to convey a powerful feeling of patriotism. At the first celebration of the ALM in Ettelbrück, Ons Heemecht was sung by a choir (June 5, 1864).
Jean Antoine Zinnen set the poem to music and transformed it later into a solemn hymn. On June 25, 1865 Ons Heemecht was performed for the first time with an instrumental accompaniment (music festival in Vianden).
The first and the last stanza of Ons Heemecht were adopted as Luxembourg's national anthem in 1895.