FRENCH NATIONAL ANTHEM PLUS

When did it become the French national anthem? The Parisians then nicknamed the song “La Marseillaise” because they associated it with the marching of the troops. So why is it called “La Marseillaise” today? Well, volunteer troops from Marseille marched from the southern city right up to Paris using this tune as a marching song. He originally named the song “Chant de Guerre pour l’Armée du Rhin” (War Song for the Army of the Rhine). Rouget de Lisle was stationed in Strasbourg at the time and he responded to the mayor by writing a piece of music on the night of April 24, 1792. Dietrich, expressed his wish for a song to help rally the French troops. On April 20, 1792, France declared war on Austria and the mayor of Strasbourg at the time, P. Before we move on to the story of the creation of “La Marseillaise,” we’ll give you a bit of historical background and context. The French national anthem was written by Claude-Joseph Rouget de Lisle, a captain in the French army in the year 1792. Verse 7:We will enter the pit When our elders are no longer there There, we will find their dust And the traces of their virtues.Who wrote “La Marseillaise”, the French national anthem? (bis) Bien moins jaloux de leur survivre Que de partager leur cercueil, Nous aurons le sublime orgueil De les venger ou de les suivre !

FRENCH NATIONAL ANTHEM PLUS

Verse 7:Nous entrerons dans la carrière Quand nos aînés n'y seront plus Nous y trouverons leur poussière Et la trace de leurs vertus. Verse 6:Sacred love of France, Lead, support our avenging arms! Liberty, beloved Liberty, Fight with your defenders! (repeat) Under our flags, let victory Hasten to your manly tones! May your dying enemies See your triumph and our glory! Verse 6:Amour sacré de la patrie, Conduis, soutiens nos bras vengeurs ! Liberté, Liberté chérie, Combats avec tes défenseurs ! (bis) Sous nos drapeaux, que la victoire Accoure à tes mâles accents ! Que tes ennemis expirants Voient ton triomphe et notre gloire ! (repeat) But not these bloodthirsty despots, But not these accomplices of Bouillé, All of these animals who, without pity, Tear their mother's breast to pieces! Verse 5:Frenchmen, as magnanimous warriors, Bear or hold back your blows! Spare these sad victims, Regretfully arming against us.

(bis) Mais ces despotes sanguinaires, Mais ces complices de Bouillé, Tous ces tigres qui, sans pitié, Déchirent le sein de leur mère ! Verse 5:Français, en guerriers magnanimes, Portez ou retenez vos coups ! Épargnez ces tristes victimes, A regret s'armant contre nous. Verse 4:Tremble, tyrants! and you, traitors, The disgrace of all groups, Tremble! Your parricidal plans Will finally pay the price! (repeat) Everyone is a soldier to fight you, If they fall, our young heros, France will make more, Ready to battle you!

Verse 4:Tremblez, tyrans ! et vous, perfides, L'opprobre de tous les partis, Tremblez ! vos projets parricides Vont enfin recevoir leur prix ! (bis) Tout est soldat pour vous combattre, S'ils tombent, nos jeunes héros, La France en produit de nouveaux, Contre vous tout prêts à se battre ! Verse 3:What! These foreign troops Would make laws in our home! What! These mercenary phalanxes Would bring down our proud warriors! (repeat) Good Lord! By chained hands Our brows would bend beneath the yoke! Vile despots would become The masters of our fate! Verse 3:Quoi ! ces cohortes étrangères Feraient la loi dans nos foyers ! Quoi ! ces phalanges mercenaires Terrasseraient nos fiers guerriers ! (bis) Grand Dieu ! par des mains enchaînées Nos fronts sous le joug se ploiraient ! De vils despotes deviendraient Les maîtres de nos destinées ! Verse 2:This horde of slaves, traitors, plotting kings, What do they want? For whom these vile shackles, These long-prepared irons? (repeat) Frenchmen, for us, oh! what an insult! What emotions that must excite! It is us that they dare to consider Returning to ancient slavery! Verse 2:Que veut cette horde d'esclaves, De traîtres, de rois conjurés ? Pour qui ces ignobles entraves, Ces fers dès longtemps préparés ? (bis) Français ! pour nous, ah ! quel outrage ! Quels transports il doit exciter ! C'est nous qu'on ose méditer De rendre à l'antique esclavage ! Grab your weapons, citizens! Form your battalions! Let us march! Let us march! May impure blood Water our fields! Let's go children of the fatherland,The day of glory has arrived! Against us tyranny's Bloody flag is raised! (repeat) In the countryside, do you hear The roaring of these fierce soldiers? They come right to our arms To slit the throats of our sons, our friends!Īux armes, citoyens ! Formez vos bataillons ! Marchons ! Marchons ! Qu'un sang impur Abreuve nos sillons ! Allons enfants de la patrie, Le jour de gloire est arrivé ! Contre nous de la tyrannie L'étendard sanglant est levé ! (bis) Entendez-vous dans les campagnes, Mugir ces féroces soldats ? Ils viennent jusque dans nos bras Égorger nos fils, nos compagnes!