Wien Neêrlands Bloed

Wien Neêrlands bloed

English: Those in whom Dutch blood
National anthem of Netherlands
Lyrics	Hendrik Tollens
Music	Johann Wilhelm Wilms
Adopted	1815
Relinquished	1932
Music sample
Wien Neêrlands bloed (instrumental)

Wien Neêrlands bloed (Those in whom Dutch blood) was the national anthem of the Netherlands between 1815 and 1932.

At the foundation of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in 1815, it was decided that a national anthem was needed. The hymn Het Wilhelmus – which is the national anthem today – was already well known in the time of the Dutch Republic. At that time, however, it was more of a party or faction hymn than a national one, being associated with and glorifying the House of Orange – which in the politics of the 17th and 18th Century Netherlands had enthusiastic supporters but also bitter foes. In particular, the Wilhelmus was unpopular with the anti-Orangist Patriot party, which dominated the country (under French tutelage) for a considerable time.

Following the fall of Napoleon, with the House of Orange attaining the status of Monarchs which they lacked before, they desired to make a fresh start and adopt a politically neutral hymn rather than what had been their factional song. Moreover, a new song might also be acceptable to the Catholic inhabitants of the Southern Netherlands with which the Dutch were united in 1815 to form the United Kingdom of the Netherlands; the Wilhelmus might be interpreted as expressing Calvinist sentiments.

A competition was accordingly organized by Admiral Jan Hendrik van Kinsbergen which was won by the Dutch poet Hendrik Tollens (1780–1856) with his poem Wien Neerlandsch bloed …, which, after some failed attempts by less gifted composers, was set to music by Johann Wilhelm Wilms (1772–1847), a German expatriate living in Amsterdam.

There were two versions, both shown below. The first is the original one, the second a changed version created for the reign of Queen Wilhelmina; it modernised the language, adapted the text to the fact there was now a queen instead of a king and also replaced the controversial second line van vreemde smetten vrij ("free from foreign taint").

Despite the adoption of the new anthem Het Wilhelmus remained popular and was played at the investiture of Queen Wilhelmina in 1898.

Wien Neêrlands bloed was officially replaced by Het Wilhelmus on 10 May 1932, though it remained in use by the Royal Netherlands Navy and Army until 1939. The replacement had much to do with the fact the "new" 1815 anthem had become even more controversial than the Wilhelmus had been, with Socialists refusing to sing it.

Original version

1. Wien Neerlandsch bloed in de aders vloeit,
    Van vreemde smetten vrij,
Wiens hart voor land en koning gloeit,
    Verheff' den zang als wij:
Hij stell' met ons, vereend van zin,
    Met onbeklemde borst,
Het godgevallig feestlied in
    Voor vaderland en vorst.

2. De Godheid, op haar hemeltroon,
    Bezongen en vereerd,
Houdt gunstig ook naar onzen toon
    Het heilig oor gekeerd:
Zij geeft het eerst, na 't zalig koor,
    Dat hooger snaren spant,
Het rond en hartig lied gehoor
    Voor vorst en vaderland.

3. Stort uit dan, broeders, eens van zin,
    Dien hoogverhoorden kreet;
Hij telt bij God een deugd te min,
    Die land en vorst vergeet;
Hij gloeit voor mensch en broeder niet
    In de onbewogen borst,
Die koel blijft bij gebed en lied
    Voor vaderland en vorst.

4. Ons klopt het hart, ons zwelt het bloed,
    Bij 't rijzen van dien toon:
Geen ander klinkt ons vol gemoed,
    Ons kloppend hart zoo schoon:
Hier smelt het eerst, het dierst belang
    Van allen staat en stand
Tot één gevoel in d'eigen zang
    Voor vorst en vaderland.

5. Bescherm, o God! bewaak den grond,
    Waarop onze adem gaat;
De plek, waar onze wieg op stond,
    Waar eens ons graf op staat.
Wij smeeken van uw vaderhand,
    Met diep geroerde borst,
Behoud voor 't lieve vaderland,
    Voor vaderland en vorst.

6. Bescherm hem, God! bewaak zijn troon,
    Op duurzaam regt gebouwd;
Blink' altoos in ons oog zijn kroon
    Nog meer door deugd dan goud!
Steun Gij den scepter, dien hij torscht,
    Bestier hem in zijn hand;
Beziel, o God! bewaar den vorst,
    Den vorst en 't vaderland.

7. Van hier, van hier wat wenschen smeedt
    Voor een van beide alleen:
Voor ons gevoel, in lief en leed,
    Zijn land en koning één.
Verhoor, o God! zijn aanroep niet,
    Wie ooit hen scheiden dorst,
Maar hoor het één, het eigen lied
    Voor vaderland en vorst.

8. Dring' luid, van uit ons feestgedruisch,
    Die beê uw hemel in:
Bewaar den vorst, bewaar zijn huis
    En ons, zijn huisgezin.
Doe nog ons laatst, ons jongst gezang
    Dien eigen wensch gestand:
Bewaar, o God! den koning lang
    En 't lieve vaderland.

— Volkslied, Hendrik Tollens

English Translation

Whoever has Dutch blood flowing in their veins,
    Free of foreign blemishes;
Whose heart glows for king and country,
    Rejoice in song as we do!
He sings with us, united in purpose,
    At the top of his voice
This festive song, pleasing to God,
    For fatherland and king (2x)

The divinity on her heavenly throne
    Serenaded and honoured
Favourably disposed to our sound
    Keeps the holy ear turned:
She sings first-rate, in conjunction with the heavenly choir
    Operating on a higher plain
This full and hearty song
    For King and fatherland (2x)

Pour out therefore, brethren, once of sense,
    then far high heard cry;
He counts on God a little virtue,
    Sovereign country and forget that;
He glows in man and brother had not
    In the unmoving chest,
That cool with prayer and song
    For Fatherland and monarchy.

Our heart beats, swells our blood,
    When it raised from this show:
No other sounds filled our minds,
    Our heart so beautiful:
Here melts first, the importance species of animals
    Of all state and state
To a sense of their own vocal
    For king and nation.

Protect, O God! guard the ground,
    Which is our breath;
The place where our cradle stood,
    Where once our graves on it.
We beg your father's hand,
    Stirred with deep chest,
Conservation for the dear fatherland,
    For Fatherland and monarchy.

Protect him, God! guard his throne;
    Right to sustainable construction;
Blink "always in our eye crown
    Even more by virtue than gold!
You support the scepter, which he carried,
    Govern him in his hand;
Infuse, O God! save the prince,
    The prince and it homeland.

From here, here are some wishes Forge
    Alone for either:
We feel, in weal and woe,     His country and king.
Hear, O God! call are not
    Who ever separate them thirsty,
But listen to one's own song
    For Fatherland and monarchy.

    Pervade loudly, from within our festive roar
This prayer unto heaven
    Protect the monarch, protect his House
And us, his family
    Redeem your promise with the very same wish in our latest song
Protect, oh Lord, for ever the King

    And the beloved fatherland (2x)

The changed version

1. Wien Neêrlandsch bloed door d'ad'ren vloeit,
    Wien 't hart klopt fier en vrij,
Wie voor zijn volk van liefde gloeit,
    Verheff' den zang als wij!
Hij roem' met allen, welgezind,
    Den onverbreekb'ren band,
Die Neêrland en Oranje bindt:
    — Vorstin en Vaderland. (2x)

2. Bescherm, o God! bewaak den grond,
    Waarop onze adem gaat,
De plek waar onze wieg op stond,
    Wellicht ons sterfuur slaat.
Wij smeken van Uw Vaderhand,
    Met blijden kinderzin,
Behoud voor 't lieve Vaderland,
    Voor land en Koningin! (2x)

3. Dring' luid, van uit ons feestgedruisch
    De beê Uw' hemel in:
„Blijv' met ons oud Oranjehuis
    „Het volk steeds één gezin!”
Vorstin en Prins prijze onze zang,
    En 't klinke aan allen kant:
„Bewaar het vorstlijk stamhuis lang

    „En 't lieve Vaderland!” (2x)

— Neêrlands Volkslied as modified by J. W. van Dalfsen

English Translation

Whoever has Dutch blood flowing in their veins,
    Whose heart beats proud and free,
Who glows with love for his nation,
    Rejoice in song as we do!
He praises with everyone, well-affected,
    The indissoluble link
That binds the Netherlands to Orange,
    To Queen and country (2x)

Protect, oh Lord, protect the ground
    Whereupon we breathe
This place which held our cradle
    Where perhaps our dying-hour will come
We beseech of Your father hand
    With joyful childlike mind
Protection for the beloved fatherland
    For Queen and country (2x)

Pervade loudly, from within our festive roar
    This prayer unto heaven
Watch over our ancient House of Orange
    The nation for ever one family
Queen and Prince praise our song
    A sound it all around
Protect the Royal Dynasty for ever

    And the beloved fatherland (2x)

Official Versions

The national anthem had two official versions. The original version which was in use from 1815 to 1898 was written to honor a king. The second version which was in use from 1898 to 1932 was rewritten and used to honor Queen Wilhelmina.

Version used from 1815-1898

Wien Neêrlands bloed in d’aders vloeit
    Van vreemde smetten vrij
Wiens hart voor land en koning gloeit
    Verheff’ de zang als wij:
Hij zet met ons, vereend van zin
    Met onbeklemde borst
Het godgevallig feestlied in
    Voor vaderland en vorst (2x)

De Godheid, op haar hemeltroon
    Bezongen en vereerd
Houdt gunstig ook naar onze toon
    Het heilig oor gekeerd:
Zij geeft het eerst, na ’t zalig koor
    Dat hoger snaren spant
Het rond en hartig lied gehoor
    Voor vorst en vaderland (2x)

Dring’ luid, vanuit ons feestgedruis
    Die beê den hemel in:
Bewaar de vorst, bewaar zijn huis
    En ons, zijn huisgezin
Doe nog ons laatst, ons jongst gezang
    Die eigen wens gestand:
Bewaar, o God den koning lang
    En ’t lieve vaderland (2x)

English Translation

Whoever has Dutch blood flowing in their veins,
    Free of foreign blemishes;
Whose heart glows for king and country,
    Rejoice in song as we do!
He sings with us, united in purpose,
    At the top of his voice
This festive song, pleasing to God,
    For fatherland and king (2x)

The divinity on her heavenly throne
    Serenaded and honoured
Favourably disposed to our sound
    Keeps the holy ear turned:
She sings first-rate, in conjunction with the heavenly choir
    Operating on a higher plain
This full and hearty song
    For King and fatherland (2x)

Pervade loudly, from within our festive roar
    This prayer unto heaven
Protect the monarch, protect his House
    And us, his family
Redeem your promise with the very same wish in our latest song
    Protect, oh Lord, for ever the King
And the beloved fatherland (2x)

Version used from 1898-1932

Wien Neêrlands bloed in de aadren vloeit
    Wien ’t hart klopt fier en vrij
Wie voor zijn volk van liefde gloeit
    Verheff’ de zang als wij:
Hij roem’ met allen, welgezind
    Den onverbreekb’ren band
Die Neerland en Oranje bindt
    Vorstin en vaderland (2x)

Bescherm, o God, bewaakt den grond
    Waarop onze adem gaat
De plek waar onze wieg op stond
    Wellicht ons sterfuur slaat
Wij smeken van Uw vaderhand
    Met blijden kinderzin
Behoud voor ’t lieve vaderland
    Voor land en koningin (2x)

Dring’ luid, vanuit ons feestgedruis
    De beê den hemel in:
Blijf met ons oud Oranjehuis
    Het volk steeds één gezin
Vorstin en prins prijze ons gezang
    En ’t klinke aan allen kant:
Bewaar het vorstelijk stamhuis lang
    En ’t lieve vaderland (2x)

English Translation

Whoever has Dutch blood flowing in their veins,
    Whose heart beats proud and free,
Who glows with love for his nation,
    Rejoice in song as we do!
He praises with everyone, well-affected,
    The indissoluble link
That binds the Netherlands to Orange,
    To Queen and country (2x)

Protect, oh Lord, protect the ground
    Whereupon we breathe
This place which held our cradle
    Where perhaps our dying-hour will come
We beseech of Your father hand
    With joyful childlike mind
Protection for the beloved fatherland
    For Queen and country (2x)

Pervade loudly, from within our festive roar
    This prayer unto heaven
Watch over our ancient House of Orange
    The nation for ever one family
Queen and Prince praise our song
    And sound it all around
Protect the Royal Dynasty for ever
    And the beloved fatherland (2x)