French National Anthem
La Marseillaise
French National Anthem "La Marseillaise" "La Marseillaise" was written and composed by Claude-Joseph Rouget de Lisle in 1792 for the French Revolution. The song, entitled "Chant de Guerre pour l'Armée du Rhin", was taken up throughout the country. The Marseille troops adopted it as a marching song.
French National Anthem Under the First Republic, "La Marsiellaise" was one of the civic songs that contributed to the success of the Revolution. However, it has not been continuously used since the Revolution. Not until the Third Republic was the Marseillaise restored to its rank of national anthem on all occasions at which military bands were called upon to play an official air. At last the Marseillaise was made the official national anthem by the constitutions of the Fourth and Fifth Republics (Article 2 of the Constitution of 4 October 1958).
French National Anthem The lyrics, speaking of bloody battles and a call for citizens to take up arms, have been debated endlessly whether to alter the words to suit the more peaceful times that France currently enjoys, but the original words, capturing the spirit of the French revolution, remain.
"La Marseillaise" Allons enfants de la Patrie, Le jour de gloire est arrivé ! Contre nous de la tyrannie, L'étendard sanglant est levé ! L'étendard sanglant est levé ! Entendez-vous dans les campagnes Mugir ces féroces soldats ? Ils viennent jusque dans nos bras Egorger nos fils et nos compagnes !
"La Marseillaise" CHORUS: Aux armes, citoyens ! Formez vos bataillons ! Marchons ! marchons ! Qu'un sang impur Abreuve nos sillons !
"La Marseillaise" ENGLISH TRANSLATION Arise you children of our Motherland ! Oh now is here our glorious day ! Over us the bloodstained banner, Of tyranny holds sway ! (repeat) Oh do you hear there in our fields The roar of those fierce fighting men? Who came right here into our midst To slaughter sons, wifes and kin. To arms ! and so on.
"La Marseillaise" Chorus To arms, oh citizens! Form up in serried ranks! March on, march on! And drench our fields With their tainted blood!