mozart and national pride

how many people can say that mozart wrote the music for their national anthem?

almost 8 million actually. 

that is the current population of Austria, 20% of which live in Vienna. 

so if the much loved, AMERICAN song "Edelweiss" is not the national anthem, what is?

"Land der Berge, Land am Strome"

(Land of the Mountains, Land on the River)

19 days before he died in 1791, Mozart composed his last work, "Freimaurerkantate", part of which is the "Chain Song"--the melody for the Austrian National Anthem. 

Paula von Preradovic gets to say "Im famous! I wrote the lyrics to that song!"

And on October 22, 1946, someone important declared that the two parts put together would be Austria's official national anthem. 

(not the most historic account, but you get the important info)

Wollen Sie hören?

Dies sind die Worte     :      (these are the lyrics)

     

Land der Berge, Land am Strome,              Land of mountains, land by the stream,

Land der Äcker, Land der Dome,               Land of fields, land of cathedrals

   Land der Hämmer zukunftsreich!                  Land of hammers, with a promising future,

Heimat bist du großer Söhne,                             You are home to great sons,

Volk begnadet für das Schöne,                           A nation highly blessed with beauty,

Vielgerühmtes Österreich,                                     Much-praised Austria, 

Vielgerühmtes Österreich,                                     Much-praised Austria!

Heiß umfehdet, wild umstritten,                   Strongly feuded for, fiercely hard-fought for, 

Liegst dem Erdteil du inmitten,                            You lie in the middle of the Continent,

Einem starken Herzen gleich.                                             Like a strong heart.

Has seit frühen Ahnentagen                      Since the early days of the ancestors you have

Hoher Sendung Last getragen,                              Borne the burden of a high mission,

Vielgeprüftes Österreich,                                          Much tried Austria, 

Vielgeprüftes Österreich.                                          Much tried Austria. 

Mutig in die neuen Zeiten,                                  Bravely towards the new ages

Frei und gläubig sieh uns schreiten,                           See us striding, free, and faithful, 

Arbeitsfroh und hoffnungsreich.                               Assiduous and full of hope.

Einig laß in Bruderchören,                                Unified, in fraternal choirs, let us

Vaterland, dir Treue schwören.                          Pledge allegiance to you, Fatherland. 

Vielgeliebtes Österreich,                                        Much beloved Austria,

Vielgeliebtes Österreich.                                       Much beloved Austria.