god save the queen—german lyrics

These lyrics were used during the reign of Kaiser Wilhelm II, German Emperor and King of Prussia, when the German Empire was founded.

The Kaiser traveled frequently. One of the jokes at the time alleged that the song's title should be changed to Heil Dir im Sonderzug (Hail to Thee in Thy Royal Train).

The Muse Of Music now invites you to follow along. Read the lyrics of the German version as you play its melody. Feel free to sing along, if you like; a strong and lusty voice is called for. If you're self-conscious about your voice, sing the song solo in an enclosed room; or bellow it out in public if you're not faint-hearted.

Notice how the song has the same emotional impact no matter what the nation or language. It suits a national anthem well, especially the anthem of a militaristic empire like Germany or England, as they were in the centuries of nation building and colonial expansion.

—play God Save the Queen—

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Lyrics to God Save the Queen

(German version, 1871 to 1918)

The German use of God Save the King is especially noteworthy. The Prussians were the first Germanic nationals to adopt the tune of English national anthem. Later, the German Empire took its anthem from the Prussian anthem, a natural outcome of the fact that Kaiser Wilhelm II was not only the German Emperor, he was King of Prussia. Kaiser Wilhelm's German Empire used the melody of God Save the King from 1871 to 1918 under the title Heil dir im Siegerkranz (Hail to Thee in Victor's Crown). The music became the anthem of the German Empire in 1871 when the Empire was formed and the Kaiser stepped up to take the throne. The Kaiser abdicated in 1918 at the end of WWI and his anthem and Empire were no more.