Wien Neêrlands Bloed

Wien Neêrlands bloed (Those in whom Dutch blood) was the national anthem of the Netherlands between 1815 and 1839.

Wien Neêrlands bloed

English: Those in whom Dutch blood
National anthem of  Netherlands
Lyrics	Hendrik Tollens
Music	Johann Wilhelm Wilms
Adopted	1815
Relinquished	1839
Audio sample
Wien Neêrlands bloed (instrumental) file help

History

Wien Neêrlands Bloed

At the foundation of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in 1815, it was decided that a national anthem was needed. The song "Het Wilhelmus" – which is the national anthem today – was already well known in the time of the Dutch Republic. At that time, however, it was more of a party or faction hymn than a national one, being associated with and glorifying the House of Orange – which in the politics of the 17th and 18th Century Netherlands had enthusiastic supporters but also bitter foes. In particular, the Wilhelmus was unpopular with the anti-Orangist Patriot party, which dominated the country (under French tutelage) for a considerable time.

Following the fall of Napoleon, with the House of Orange attaining the status of Monarchs which they lacked before, they desired to make a fresh start and adopt a politically neutral hymn rather than what had been their factional song. Moreover, a new song might also be acceptable to the Catholic inhabitants of the Southern Netherlands with which the Dutch were united in 1815 to form the United Kingdom of the Netherlands; the Wilhelmus might be interpreted as expressing Calvinist sentiments.

A competition was accordingly organized by Admiral Jan Hendrik van Kinsbergen which was won by the Dutch poet Hendrik Tollens (1780–1856) with his poem Wien Neerlandsch bloed ..., which, after some failed attempts by less gifted composers, was set to music by Johann Wilhelm Wilms (1772–1847), a Dutch-German expatriate living in Amsterdam.

There were two versions: the original, and a changed version created for the reign of Queen Wilhelmina. It modernized the language, adapted the text to the fact there was now a queen instead of a king and also replaced the controversial second line van vreemde smetten vrij ("free from foreign taint").

Despite the adoption of the new anthem Het Wilhelmus remained popular and was played at the investiture of Queen Wilhelmina in 1898.

Wien Neêrlands bloed was officially replaced by Het Wilhelmus on 10 May 1932, though it remained in use by the Royal Netherlands Navy and Army until 1939. The replacement had much to do with the fact the "new" 1815 anthem had become even more controversial than the Wilhelmus had been, with Socialists refusing to sing it.

Lyrics

Original version

Wien Neerlandsch bloed in de aders vloeit, Van vreemde smetten vrij, Wiens hart voor land en koning gloeit, Verheff' den zang als wij: Hij stell' met ons, vereend van zin, Met onbeklemde borst, Het godgevallig feestlied in Voor vaderland en vorst. De Godheid, op haar hemeltroon, Bezongen en vereerd, Houdt gunstig ook naar onzen toon Het heilig oor gekeerd: Zij geeft het eerst, na 't zalig koor, Dat hooger snaren spant, Het rond en hartig lied gehoor Voor vorst en vaderland. Stort uit dan, broeders, eens van zin, Dien hoogverhoorden kreet; Hij telt bij God een deugd te min, Die land en vorst vergeet; Hij gloeit voor mensch en broeder niet In de onbewogen borst, Die koel blijft bij gebed en lied Voor vaderland en vorst. Ons klopt het hart, ons zwelt het bloed, Bij 't rijzen van dien toon: Geen ander klinkt ons vol gemoed, Ons kloppend hart zoo schoon: Hier smelt het eerst, het dierst belang Van allen staat en stand Tot één gevoel in d'eigen zang Voor vorst en vaderland. Bescherm, o God! bewaak den grond, Waarop onze adem gaat; De plek, waar onze wieg op stond, Waar eens ons graf op staat. Wij smeeken van uw vaderhand, Met diep geroerde borst, Behoud voor 't lieve vaderland, Voor vaderland en vorst. Bescherm hem, God! bewaak zijn troon, Op duurzaam regt gebouwd; Blink' altoos in ons oog zijn kroon Nog meer door deugd dan goud! Steun Gij den scepter, dien hij torscht, Bestier hem in zijn hand; Beziel, o God! bewaar den vorst, Den vorst en 't vaderland. Van hier, van hier wat wenschen smeedt Voor een van beide alleen: Voor ons gevoel, in lief en leed, Zijn land en koning één. Verhoor, o God! zijn aanroep niet, Wie ooit hen scheiden dorst, Maar hoor het één, het eigen lied Voor vaderland en vorst. Dring' luid, van uit ons feestgedruisch, Die beê uw hemel in: Bewaar den vorst, bewaar zijn huis En ons, zijn huisgezin. Doe nog ons laatst, ons jongst gezang Dien eigen wensch gestand: Bewaar, o God! den koning lang En 't lieve vaderland. Volkslied, Hendrik Tollens[1]

Whoever has Dutch blood flowing in their veins, Free of foreign blemishes; Whose heart glows for king and country, Rejoice in song as we do! He sings with us, united in purpose, At the top of his voice This festive song, pleasing to God, For fatherland and king (2x) The divinity on her heavenly throne Serenaded and honoured Favourably disposed to our sound Keeps the holy ear turned: She sings first-rate, in conjunction with the heavenly choir Operating on a higher plain This full and hearty song For King and fatherland (2x) Pour out therefore, brethren, one in spirit, the far high heard cry; He to God has a virtue less, Who forgets sovereign and country; He burns not for man and brother In his unmoved chest, Who remains cool to prayer and song For Fatherland and prince. Our heart beats, swells our blood, When this hymn is raised: No other sound fills our minds, Our beating heart with such beauty: Here melts the firstmost and dearest worth Of common wealth and weal Into a single feeling by common song For prince and Fatherland. Protect, O God! guard the ground, Upon we breath; The place where our cradle stood, Where yet our grave will stand. We beg your father's hand, Stirred deep in chest, Conservation for the dear fatherland, For Fatherland and prince. Protect him, God! guard his throne; Built on perpetual right; May his crown ever dazzle our eye Even more by virtue than gold! Support the sceptre, which he bears, Guide it in his hand; Inspire, O God! Preserve the prince, The prince and Fatherland. Away! Away! Who forges plans for one of them alone: We feel, in weal and woe, that country and king are one. O God! Do not hear upon the call of him who dares to separate them, But listen to our common song For Fatherland and prince. May loudly, from our festive roar This supplication enter your heaven Preserve the monarch, preserve his House And us, his family Grant our wish by this very song Preserve, oh Lord, for ever the King And the dear fatherland (2x)

The changed version

Wien Neêrlandsch bloed door d'ad'ren vloeit, Wien 't hart klopt fier en vrij, Wie voor zijn volk van liefde gloeit, Verheff' den zang als wij! Hij roem' met allen, welgezind, Den onverbreekb'ren band, Die Neêrland en Oranje bindt: Vorstin en Vaderland. (2x) Bescherm, o God! bewaak den grond, Waarop onze adem gaat, De plek waar onze wieg op stond, Wellicht ons sterfuur slaat. Wij smeken van Uw Vaderhand, Met blijden kinderzin, Behoud voor 't lieve Vaderland, Voor land en Koningin! (2x) Dring' luid, van uit ons feestgedruisch De beê Uw' hemel in: „Blijv' met ons oud Oranjehuis „Het volk steeds één gezin!” Vorstin en Prins prijze onze zang, En 't klinke aan allen kant: „Bewaar het vorstlijk stamhuis lang „En 't lieve Vaderland!” (2x) Neêrlands Volkslied as modified by J. W. van Dalfsen[2]

Whoever has Dutch blood flowing in their veins, Whose heart beats proud and free, Who glows with love for his nation, Rejoice in song as we do! He praises with everyone, well-affected, The indissoluble link That binds the Netherlands to Orange, To Queen and country (2x) Protect, oh Lord, protect the ground Whereupon we breathe This place which held our cradle Where perhaps our dying-hour will come We beseech of Your father hand With joyful childlike mind Protection for the beloved fatherland For Queen and country (2x) Pervade loudly, from within our festive roar This prayer unto heaven Watch over our ancient House of Orange The nation for ever one family Queen and Prince praise our song And sound it all around Protect the Royal Dynasty for ever And the beloved fatherland (2x)

Official Versions

The national anthem had two official versions. The original version which was in use from 1815 to 1898 was written to honor a king. The second version which was in use from 1898 to 1932 was rewritten and used to honor Queen Wilhelmina.

Version used from 1815-1898

Wien Neêrlands bloed in d'aders vloeit Van vreemde smetten vrij Wiens hart voor land en koning gloeit Verheff' de zang als wij: Hij zet met ons, vereend van zin Met onbeklemde borst Het godgevallig feestlied in Voor vaderland en vorst (2x) De Godheid, op haar hemeltroon Bezongen en vereerd Houdt gunstig ook naar onze toon Het heilig oor gekeerd: Zij geeft het eerst, na 't zalig koor Dat hoger snaren spant Het rond en hartig lied gehoor Voor vorst en vaderland (2x) Dring' luid, vanuit ons feestgedruis Die beê den hemel in: Bewaar de vorst, bewaar zijn huis En ons, zijn huisgezin Doe nog ons laatst, ons jongst gezang Die eigen wens gestand: Bewaar, o God den koning lang En 't lieve vaderland (2x)

Whoever has Dutch blood flowing in their veins, Free of foreign blemishes; Whose heart glows for king and country, Rejoice in song as we do! He sings with us, united in purpose, At the top of his voice This festive song, pleasing to God, For fatherland and king (2x) The divinity on her heavenly throne Serenaded and honoured Favourably disposed to our sound Keeps the holy ear turned: She sings first-rate, in conjunction with the heavenly choir Operating on a higher plain This full and hearty song For King and fatherland (2x) Pervade loudly, from within our festive roar This prayer unto heaven Protect the monarch, protect his House And us, his family Redeem your promise with the very same wish in our latest song Protect, oh Lord, for ever the King And the beloved fatherland (2x)

Version used from 1898-1932

Wien Neêrlands bloed in de aadren vloeit Wien 't hart klopt fier en vrij Wie voor zijn volk van liefde gloeit Verheff' de zang als wij: Hij roem' met allen, welgezind Den onverbreekb'ren band Die Neerland en Oranje bindt Vorstin en vaderland (2x) Bescherm, o God, bewaakt den grond Waarop onze adem gaat De plek waar onze wieg op stond Wellicht ons sterfuur slaat Wij smeken van Uw vaderhand Met blijden kinderzin Behoud voor 't lieve vaderland Voor land en koningin (2x) Dring' luid, vanuit ons feestgedruis De beê den hemel in: Blijf met ons oud Oranjehuis Het volk steeds één gezin Vorstin en prins prijze ons gezang En 't klinke aan allen kant: Bewaar het vorstelijk stamhuis lang En 't lieve vaderland (2x)

Whoever has Dutch blood flowing in their veins, Whose heart beats proud and free, Who glows with love for his nation, Rejoice in song as we do! He praises with everyone, well-affected, The indissoluble link That binds the Netherlands to Orange, To Queen and country (2x) Protect, oh Lord, protect the ground Whereupon we breathe This place which held our cradle Where perhaps our dying-hour will come We beseech of Your father hand With joyful childlike mind Protection for the beloved fatherland For Queen and country (2x) Pervade loudly, from within our festive roar This prayer unto heaven Watch over our ancient House of Orange The nation for ever one family Queen and Prince praise our song And sound it all around Protect the Royal Dynasty for ever And the beloved fatherland (2x)

References

1. H. Tollens, Cz. (1855). Gedichten – Eerste deel. Leeuwarden: G. T. N. Suringar. pp. 184–187.
2. Neêrlands Volkslied as modified by J. W. van Dalfsen. Website of DBNL.