The German national anthem consists of several verses, but not all of them are officially sung. Find out here why some verses are banned and what historical significance lies behind this.
Prohibited verses of the German national anthem: What is permitted in private
After the Second World War, the Germans were left without a national anthem for a time. During a soccer match against Switzerland, there was a minute of silence in the stadium after the Swiss anthem was played—due to the lack of an anthem for the German team.
- This did not change until 1952. After an exchange of letters between Chancellor Konrad Adenauer and President Theodor Heuss, Hoffmann-Haydn’s song was once again chosen as the German national anthem.
- This time, however, there was one crucial difference: it was decided that only the third verse would be sung at public events in future. While the first verse had fallen into disrepute due to its connection to the Nazis, the second verse was considered too obscure and also inappropriate in terms of its lyrics.
- To this day, the third verse is mainly sung at major sporting events, and almost everyone in this country can sing along. In private settings, however, it is not forbidden to sing the other two verses. In addition, the complete “Song of the Germans” may also be played in private settings via media.
- Incidentally: In March 1990, the Federal Constitutional Court ruled that the third verse of the German national anthem was protected against defamation as a national anthem and thus as a state symbol and constitutional value in accordance with § 90a StGB (German Criminal Code).
The German national anthem: Misconceptions and historical background
The German national anthem was written by August Heinrich Hoffmann von Fallersleben in 1841. He composed lyrics—divided into three verses—to the melody of Joseph Haydn. With the “Song of the Germans,” von Fallersleben addressed the political fragmentation of the German Confederation at the time and the longing for a united fatherland.
- The “Song of the Germans” was banned by the victorious powers in 1918 after World War I. The first President of the Weimar Republic, Friedrich Ebert, finally declared the song the official German national anthem on August 11, 1922.
- After the National Socialists came to power in 1933, the first verse was sung as a “prelude” to the National Socialist Horst Wessel song. As a result, the first verse fell into disrepute, especially abroad.
- Even before the National Socialists, the first verse of the “Song of the Germans” was often misunderstood. With the line “Deutschland, Deutschland über alles” (Germany, Germany above all), von Fallersleben merely wanted to express his desire for a united Germany. After the Second World War, the first verse was always associated with the Nazis and their atrocities.
