The Faroese national anthem has been sung on various occasions during Ólavsøka, arguably the biggest national holiday of the Faroe Islands, which has taken place over the weekend.
But what is the name of the Faroese national anthem and what do its lyrics translate to? What does it say about Faroese people and society? And how does it compare with other national anthems lyrics-wise? Do we, the Faroese, perhaps need a new anthem that is more in tune with contemporary society?
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Below, we will bring you the lyrics to the Faroese national anthem (in English, obviously) as well as the lyrics to the first verses of the Danish, British, French, German (okay, the third verse here) and the American national anthem – all in English:
The Faroese national anthem: My Fairest Land (Tú alfagra land mítt) – Lyrics by Símun av Skarði (1872-1942) and melody by Peter Alberg (1885-1940)
My land, oh most beauteous, possession most dear,
Thou drawest me to thee, embracing me near;
becalmed in the summer, in winter snow covered,
magnificent islands, by God named beloved.
The name which men gave thee when they thee discovered,
Oh, God bless thee, Faroes my land.
Bright gleam, which in summer makes hill-tops so fair;
rough gale, which in winter drives men to despair;
oh life taking storm, oh conquest of soul,
all making sweet music uniting the whole.
Each hoping and trusting, inspiring us all,
To guard thee, O Faroes my land.
And therefore, I kneel down, to Thee God, in prayer,
may peaceful my lot be, and do thou me spare,
my soul cleansed; in glory; I ask Thee to bless,
when I raise my banner and venture the stress.
The sign of my task, be it lifted on high,
To guard thee, O Faroes my land.
The Danish national anthem: A lovely land is ours (Der er et dejligt land)
I know a lovely land
With spreading, shady beeches
Near Baltic’s salty strand;
Near Baltic’s salty strand;
Its hills and valleys gently fall,
Its ancient name is Denmark,
And it is Freya’s hall
And it is Freya’s hall
The British national anthem: God Save the Queen
God save our gracious Queen,
Long live our noble Queen,
God save the Queen!
Send her victorious,
Happy and glorious,
Long to reign over us,
God save the Queen!
The French national anthem: La Marseillaise
Arise, children of the Fatherland
The day of glory has arrived
Against us tyranny’s
Bloody banner is raised
Do you hear, in the countryside
The roar of those ferocious soldiers?
They’re coming right into your arms
To cut the throats of your sons, your women!
To arms, citizens!
Form your battalions
Let’s march, let’s march
Let an impure blood
Water our furrows!
The German national anthem: Deutschlandlied
Unity and justice and freedom
For the German fatherland!
Towards these let us all strive
Brotherly with heart and hand!
Unity and justice and freedom
Are the foundation of happiness;
Flourish in the radiance of this happiness,
Flourish, German fatherland!
The American national anthem: The Star Spangled Banner
Oh, say! can you see by the dawn’s early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming;
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight,
O’er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there:
Oh, say! does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
