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Dan D · 11-10-14, 11:01 AM

Das „Lied der Deutschen“ (Song of the Germans) became the national anthem in 1922.
It consists of three verses:

Deutschland „über alles“
German wine, German women, German singing
Freedom, Brotherhood, Equity

Verse 1 is often misinterpreted. When Hoffmann von Fallersleben wrote the lyrics in 1841 he was not anticipating Nazi world domination dreams but advoacting a unification of the German speaking single states.

The size of a German nation state back in 1841 would have been the land between the rivers „Maas“ to „Memel“ and „Etsch“ to „Belt". Because of the loss of territory in the 2 WW s, Germany is actually smaller today, „Maas“ is part of Belgium. „Memel“ part of Russia and Lithuania, „Etsch“ Italy and „Belt“ Denmark.

So singing the first verse today may raise some concerns in those countries. So polite as we are, we don't sing the first verse very much.
Fun fact, many people think it is „verboten“ by law to sing the first verse. That is wrong. You can sing all three verses as much as you won't.

It is the other way round, if people try to stop other people from singing the third verse this may get them into Trouble.

3 West German politicians singing the anthem on 11/10 1989, the day after East-Germany had opened its border:

11-10-14, 11:01 AM	#5
Dan D Grey Wolf Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: 9th Flotilla Posts: 839 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Das „Lied der Deutschen“ (Song of the Germans) became the national anthem in 1922. It consists of three verses: Deutschland „über alles“ German wine, German women, German singing Freedom, Brotherhood, Equity Verse 1 is often misinterpreted. When Hoffmann von Fallersleben wrote the lyrics in 1841 he was not anticipating Nazi world domination dreams but advoacting a unification of the German speaking single states. The size of a German nation state back in 1841 would have been the land between the rivers „Maas“ to „Memel“ and „Etsch“ to „Belt". Because of the loss of territory in the 2 WW s, Germany is actually smaller today, „Maas“ is part of Belgium. „Memel“ part of Russia and Lithuania, „Etsch“ Italy and „Belt“ Denmark. So singing the first verse today may raise some concerns in those countries. So polite as we are, we don't sing the first verse very much. Fun fact, many people think it is „verboten“ by law to sing the first verse. That is wrong. You can sing all three verses as much as you won't. It is the other way round, if people try to stop other people from singing the third verse this may get them into Trouble. 3 West German politicians singing the anthem on 11/10 1989, the day after East-Germany had opened its border: __________________ Last edited by Dan D; 11-10-14 at 12:34 PM.