Auferstanden aus Ruinen (Risen from the Ruins) was the national anthem of East Germany (German Democratic Republic, German: Deutsche Demokratische Republik, DDR). It was composed by Hanns Eisler and the text was written by the poet Johannes R. Becher who later became minister of education. Surprisingly, the much more influential dramatist and poet Bertolt Brecht was not asked to write the lyrics.

Written in 1949, the hymn reflects the early stage of German separation, in which continuing progress towards reunification was seen by many Germans as appropriate and natural. Consequently, Becher´s lyrics develop several connotations of "unity" and combine them with "fatherland" (einig Vaterland), which here means Germany as a whole. However, this concept would not conform to an increasingly icy cold war context.

In 1973, the FRG and the GDR were admitted to the United Nations simultaneously, which gave them the legitimacy they had separately pursued. The term Germany was later removed from the GDR constitution, and on official occasions only the hymn´s melody was performed.

Auferstanden aus Ruinen ceased to be a national anthem when the two Germanys united in 1990 and Das Lied der Deutschen, which was already the anthem of West Germany, was adopted for all of Germany. Interestingly enough, the lyrics to the East German anthem can be sung perfectly to the melody of "Gott erhalte Franz den Kaiser".

GERMAN LYRICS

Auferstanden aus Ruinen und der Zukunft zugewandt,
laß uns Dir zum Guten dienen, Deutschland, einig Vaterland.
Alte Not gilt es zu zwingen, und wir zwingen sie vereint,
denn es muß uns doch gelingen, daß die Sonne schön wie nie
über Deutschland scheint. (bis)

Glück und Friede sei beschieden Deutschland, unserm Vaterland.
Alle Welt sehnt sich nach Frieden, reicht den Völkern eure Hand.
Wenn wir brüderlich uns einen, schlagen wir des Volkes Feind!
Laßt das Licht des Friedens scheinen, daß nie eine Mutter mehr
ihren Sohn beweint. (bis)

Laßt uns pflügen, laßt uns bauen, lernt und schafft wie nie zuvor,
und der eignen Kraft vertrauend, steigt ein frei Geschlecht empor.
Deutsche Jugend, bestes Streben unsres Volks in dir vereint,
wirst du Deutschlands neues Leben. Und die Sonne schön wie nie
über Deutschland scheint. (bis)

ENGLISH TRANSLATION

Risen from the ruins and faced towards the future,
Let us serve you for the good, Germany, united fatherland.
Old woes we will have to conquer, and, united, so we shall,
For it lays within our power that the sun, beautiful as never before,
Shines over Germany. (bis)

Happiness and peace be granted Germany, our fatherland.
All the world now longs for peace, so go forth and extend your hand.
When as brothers we unite, we defeat the people´s foe.
Let it shine, the light of Peace! so that no mother again must
Mourn her son. (bis)

Let us plough, let us build, learn and work as never before,
And, in confidence and strength, a free generation will come forth.
German youth, the best endeavor of our people combined in you,
You will give Germany new life. Then may the sun, more beautiful than ever
Shine over Germany. (bis)

External link

• Vocals and orchestra, Real Audio streaming format
• MP3 File, melody and lyrics
• Sheet music in *.gif format