Land der Berge, Land am Strome

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Land der Berge, Land am Strome (Land of the mountains, land on the river) is the national anthem of Austria.

Nineteen days before his death on December 5th, 1791 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart composed his last complete work, the "Freimaurerkantate", KV 623. In parts of the edition of this cantata there appeared the "Chain Song", KV 623a. To this melody the Austrian National Anthem is sung. According to leading musicologists in Vienna, this tune was not written by Mozart, but by Johann Holzer, a Freemason Brother of his, and composer of many songs. The lyrics were written by the Austrian writer Paula von Preradovic. On October 22, 1946 it was declared Austria's official national anthem.

In 2005, Women's Minister Maria Rauch-Kallat stated her objection to the words 'sons', 'fraternal' and 'Fatherland' in the lyrics, and has proposed changes. [1], however this was quickly dismissed as a newsitem in times of little other news.

[edit] Lyrics and translation

German lyrics	English translation
First stanza
Land der Berge, Land am Strome, Land der Äcker, Land der Dome, Land der Hämmer zukunftsreich! Heimat bist du großer Söhne, Volk begnadet für das Schöne, Vielgerühmtes Österreich, Vielgerühmtes Österreich!	Land of mountains, land on the stream, Land of fields, land of cathedrals, Land of hammers, with a rich future, You are home to great sons, A people blessed by their sense of beauty, Highly praised Austria, Highly praised Austria!
Second stanza
Heiß umfehdet, wild umstritten, Liegst dem Erdteil du inmitten Einem starken Herzen gleich. Hast seit frühen Ahnentagen Hoher Sendung Last getragen, Vielgeprüftes Österreich, Vielgeprüftes Österreich.	Strongly feuded for, fiercely hard-fought for, You are in the centre of the Continent Like a strong heart, Since the early days of the ancestors you have Borne the burden of a high mission, Much tried Austria, Much tried Austria.
Third stanza
Mutig in die neuen Zeiten, Frei und gläubig sieh uns schreiten, Arbeitsfroh und hoffnungsreich. Einig laß in Bruderchören, Vaterland, dir Treue schwören. Vielgeliebtes Österreich, Vielgeliebtes Österreich.	Into the new times, See us striding, courageous, free, and faithful, Assiduous and full of hope, Unified, in fraternal chorus, let us Pledge allegiance to you, our country, Much beloved Austria, Much beloved Austria.

[edit] Parody

It is said that, the same evening after Paula von Preradovic learned that her lyrics were chosen for the national anthem, her sons, Otto and Fritz Molden, composed a satirical version of the anthem.

German lyrics	English translation
Land der Erbsen, Land der Bohnen, Land der vier Besatzungszonen, Wir verkaufen dich im Schleich, Vielgeliebtes Österreich! Und droben überm Hermannskogel Flattert froh der Bundesvogel.	Land of the peas, land of the beans, Land of the four zones of occupation, we sell you in creep, Much beloved Austria! And up there over the Hermannskogel gladly the federal bird flutters.