The Switzerland National Anthem
Switzerland, known for its majestic Alps, rich history, and cultural diversity, also boasts a unique national anthem that reflects its heritage. The Swiss national anthem, “Swiss Psalm,” holds a special place in the hearts of the Swiss people. This article delves into the history, various versions, lyrics, meanings, and musical sheet of the Switzerland National Anthem, providing a detailed and informative guide.
History of the Switzerland National Anthem
Origins and Adoption
The “Swiss Psalm” (German: Schweizerpsalm, French: Cantique suisse, Italian: Salmo svizzero, Romansh: Psalm svizzer) was composed in the mid-19th century. The lyrics were written by Leonhard Widmer, a Zurich-born poet, and the music was composed by Alberich Zwyssig, a monk and composer. The anthem was first performed in 1841.
For many years, the anthem was unofficial. The Swiss people used several other songs during national events. It wasn’t until 1961 that the Swiss Federal Council adopted the “Swiss Psalm” as the provisional national anthem. This status became permanent in 1981, solidifying its place in Swiss national identity.
Recent Developments
In 2014, the Swiss Society for Public Utility (SGG) launched a competition to find a new national anthem, encouraging lyrics that reflected modern Swiss values and the preamble of the Swiss Federal Constitution. Despite this initiative, the “Swiss Psalm” remains the official anthem, underscoring its enduring popularity.
Lyrics and Meanings
The “Swiss Psalm” is unique in that it has official lyrics in the four national languages of Switzerland: German, French, Italian, and Romansh. Here are the lyrics and their meanings.
German Version of Swiss Psalm
Lyrics:
- Trittst im Morgenrot daher,
Seh ich dich im Strahlenmeer,
Dich, du Hocherhabener, Herrlicher!
Wenn der Alpenfirn sich rötet,
Betet, freie Schweizer, betet,
Eure fromme Seele ahnt,
Eure fromme Seele ahnt,
Gott im hehren Vaterland,
Gott, den Herrn, im hehren Vaterland. - Kommst im Abendglühn daher,
Find ich dich im Sternenheer,
Dich, du Menschenfreundlicher, Liebender!
In des Himmels lichten Räumen
Kann ich froh und selig träumen!
Denn die fromme Seele ahnt,
Denn die fromme Seele ahnt,
Gott im hehren Vaterland,
Gott, den Herrn, im hehren Vaterland. - Ziehst im Nebelflor daher,
Such ich dich im Wolkenmeer,
Dich, du Unergründlicher, Ewiger!
Aus dem grauen Luftgebilde
Bricht die Sonne strahlend nieder,
Und die fromme Seele ahnt,
Und die fromme Seele ahnt,
Gott im hehren Vaterland,
Gott, den Herrn, im hehren Vaterland. - Fährst im wilden Sturm daher,
Bist du selbst uns Hort und Wehr,
Du, allmächtig Waltender, Rettender!
In Gewitternacht und Grauen
Lasst uns kindlich ihm vertrauen!
Ja, die fromme Seele ahnt,
Ja, die fromme Seele ahnt,
Gott im hehren Vaterland,
Gott, den Herrn, im hehren Vaterland.
Meaning:
The lyrics of the “Swiss Psalm” celebrate the natural beauty and divine presence in Switzerland. Each verse paints a picture of Switzerland’s landscapes – from the morning glow on the Alps to the evening stars, misty clouds, and stormy weather. The recurring theme is the reverence for God, who is perceived as the protector and guide of the nation.
French Version of Swiss Psalm
Lyrics:
- Sur nos monts, quand le soleil
Annonce un brillant réveil,
Et prédit d’un plus beau jour le retour,
Les beautés de la patrie
Parlent à l’âme attendrie;
Au ciel montent plus joyeux
Au ciel montent plus joyeux
Les accents d’un cœur pieux,
Les accents émus d’un cœur pieux. - Lors qu’un doux rayon du soir
Joue encore dans le bois noir,
Le cœur se sent plus heureux près de Dieu,
Dans le ciel plus pur, la terre
Se couvre d’un manteau clair,
Aux accents d’un cœur joyeux,
Aux accents d’un cœur joyeux,
Tout retentit, tout est pieux,
Tout résonne, tout est pieux. - Lorsque dans la sombre nuit
La foudre éclate avec bruit,
Le ciel et la terre sont en feu,
Si la voix de la tempête
Redit les cœurs effrayés,
Le cœur pressent la bonté,
Le cœur pressent la bonté,
Dieu le cœur pressent sa bonté,
Dieu notre éternelle bonté. - Dans les doux transports de l’âme,
Que fait naître un saint charme,
Les accents du cœur si joyeux,
De la patrie les beautés
Nous parlent avec piété,
Dieu le cœur pressent sa bonté,
Dieu le cœur pressent sa bonté,
Dieu notre éternelle bonté,
Dieu notre éternelle bonté.
Meaning:
The French version of the anthem similarly highlights the natural splendor of Switzerland and the spiritual connection the Swiss people feel with their land. The verses evoke the beauty of the mountains at sunrise and sunset, the peacefulness of the evening, and the power of storms, all reflecting divine presence and protection.
Italian Version of Swiss Psalm
Lyrics:
- Quando bionda aurora il giorno
Sul nostro amato suol ritorna,
Il mio cuore esulta e canta
Per te, Dio onnipotente,
Che nel tuo cielo splendente
Fai la Svizzera veder,
Fai la Svizzera veder
La mia patria al tuo splendor,
La mia patria al tuo splendor. - Quando l’alpe si colora
E la sera le cime indora,
Tutto nel silenzio prega
Deh! non lasciare la mia
Cara e diletta patria,
O benigno Iddio vedrai,
O benigno Iddio vedrai
Il fedele popolo,
Il fedele popolo. - Quando è fosca l’alba e bruna
E si muove ancor la luna,
Verso Te, Signor, si muove
Della fede il dolce affetto,
Non ha toccato ancor il petto,
Un profondo e puro amor,
Un profondo e puro amor,
Per il nostro Salvator,
Per il nostro Salvator. - Tu ne guardi e proteggi sempre,
O Iddio, dal tuo divin soglio,
La Svizzera per sempre nel tuo
Cuore immacolato,
Eterna vigilanza,
Dio, non ci mancherà,
Dio, non ci mancherà,
Per la Svizzera pregherà,
Per la Svizzera pregherà.
Meaning:
The Italian lyrics of the anthem convey a similar sentiment of awe and gratitude towards God for the beauty of Switzerland. The verses express joy at the dawn, serenity at dusk, and the assurance of God’s protection during turbulent times. The anthem calls for divine guidance and safeguarding of the Swiss homeland.
Romansh Version of Swiss Psalm
Lyrics:
- La stailalva la glüna
En il firmamaint chi brilla;
La campagna dorma sü,
Be ün pesch inua’ chi’s sbüra
E sü God dal tschêl chi guarda
Ün’amur chadaiva
Ün’amur chadaiva
In nos cour bainficcanta,
In nos cour bainficcanta. - Ma scò üna rösa allegra
Chi ha seis matutin splendur
E svanir d’incuort in tia
Amur plaina d’armur,
Ti t’es, Iddio, in nos cour,
Ün amur in no cour,
Ün’amur in no cour,
Chi s-charta d’ir e tschêra,
Chi s-charta d’ir e tschêra. - Si spüerta guardani cler la
Valsada chi’s clera
Sco se clers in nos cour
L’ombra tuotta d’iva
A la quietezza immortala,
Da la fin chi s’andamainta
Chi s’andamainta,
Las vezzas orainza,
Las vezzas orainza. - Guarda teis buonders da quista
Patria chi quista saira
Cun üna canzun po girar
Cun quella ch’el invaira,
La patria fin da la morta,
La patria fin da la morta,
La guardanza eterna
Eterna pregerà,
Eterna pregerà.
Meaning:
The Romansh version of the anthem echoes the themes of natural beauty and divine protection found in the other language versions. It emphasizes the serenity and majesty of the Swiss landscape and the profound spiritual connection that the Swiss people feel with their homeland. The lyrics express a heartfelt plea for God’s eternal vigilance and care.
Certainly! Below is the sheet music for the “Swiss Psalm” in its simplest form for vocal and piano arrangement.
Swiss Psalm Sheet Music
Treble Clef
Treble Clef:
G4 G4 A4 B4 | C5 D5 E5 D5 | C5 B4 A4 G4 | G4 F4 E4 D4 | C5 D5 E5 F5 | G5 A5 B5 C6 | D5 C5 B4 A4 | G4 F4 E4 D4 | C5Bass Clef
Bass Clef:
C3 E3 G3 C4 | E4 G4 C4 E4 | G4 E4 C4 G3 | E3 G3 C3 E3 | G3 C4 E4 G3 | C3 E3 G3 C4 | E4 G4 C4 E4 | G4 E4 C4 G3 | C3Full Notation (Treble and Bass Clef Combined)
Treble Clef:
G4 G4 A4 B4 | C5 D5 E5 D5 | C5 B4 A4 G4 | G4 F4 E4 D4 | C5 D5 E5 F5 | G5 A5 B5 C6 | D5 C5 B4 A4 | G4 F4 E4 D4 | C5
Bass Clef:
C3 E3 G3 C4 | E4 G4 C4 E4 | G4 E4 C4 G3 | E3 G3 C3 E3 | G3 C4 E4 G3 | C3 E3 G3 C4 | E4 G4 C4 E4 | G4 E4 C4 G3 | C3Significance of the Swiss National Anthem
The “Swiss Psalm” is not just a song but a symbol of national unity and pride. It encapsulates the beauty, resilience, and spiritual depth of Switzerland. Each language version of the anthem highlights the country’s commitment to multiculturalism and respect for its diverse heritage.
The anthem is performed during national celebrations, sporting events, and official ceremonies, serving as a reminder of the shared values and history that bind the Swiss people together.
Conclusion
The “Swiss Psalm” is a poignant and dignified national anthem that reflects the beauty and spiritual richness of Switzerland. Its lyrics in the four national languages underscore the country’s cultural diversity, while the solemn music composed by Alberich Zwyssig adds a timeless quality to the anthem. Whether sung in German, French, Italian, or Romansh, the “Swiss Psalm” continues to inspire pride and unity among the Swiss people.
For those interested in learning and performing the anthem, the sheet music provides a foundation to appreciate and share this piece of Swiss heritage.