La Marseillaise
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What is La Marseillaise?
La Marseillaise is the French national anthem, written during the French Revolution by Claude-Joseph Rouget de Lisle in 1792. Originally named "Chant de guerre de l’armée du Rhin" ("War Song of the Army of the Rhine"), it gained popularity after volunteer army units from Marseille sang it.
The Convention adopted it as the French national anthem on July 14, 1795. It was banned by Napoleon and Louis XVIII but authorized after the July Revolution of 1830, and then banned again by Napoleon III. It was finally reinstated in 1879. The original text had six verses, with a seventh added later, but only the first and sixth are typically sung today.
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Who wrote La Marseillaise and when was it composed?
Claude-Joseph Rouget de Lisle, a captain of engineers and amateur musician, composed France's national anthem, La Marseillaise, in one night during the French Revolution on April 24, 1792.
Originally named "Chant de guerre de l’armée du Rhin" ("War Song of the Army of the Rhine"), it gained popularity with volunteer army units from Marseille, leading to the name La Marseillaise. The Convention adopted it as the French national anthem on July 14, 1795.
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Why was La Marseillaise written?
La Marseillaise, France's national anthem, was composed during the French Revolution by Claude-Joseph Rouget de Lisle in 1792, after France declared war on Austria. Originally named "Chant de guerre de l’armée du Rhin" ("War Song of the Army of the Rhine"), it was a response to the mayor of Strasbourg's need for a marching song for French troops. The song gained popularity and was renamed "La Marseillaise" due to its widespread use by volunteer army units from Marseille. It became the French national anthem on July 14, 1795.
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How did La Marseillaise become the national anthem of France?
During the French Revolution, La Marseillaise was composed in one night by Claude-Joseph Rouget de Lisle in 1792. Originally named "Chant de guerre de l’armée du Rhin" ("War Song of the Army of the Rhine"), it gained popularity among volunteer army units from Marseille, which led to the name "La Marseillaise." Its spirited melody made a strong impression at Revolutionary public events. The Convention officially adopted it as the French national anthem on July 14, 1795. Despite being banned during Napoleon’s reign and the Second Restoration, it was reinstated in 1879.
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What are the main themes or ideas in the lyrics of La Marseillaise?
"La Marseillaise", France's national anthem, embodies themes of patriotism, liberty, and revolution. Written during the French Revolution by Claude-Joseph Rouget de Lisle in 1792, it was originally titled "War Song of the Army of the Rhine." The lyrics are a call to arms, urging citizens to defend their nation against tyranny. It evokes a sense of urgency and sacrifice, emphasizing the love for the fatherland and the fight for freedom. The anthem's powerful imagery and spirited melody contributed to its popularity and its adoption as the French national anthem in 1795.
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How is La Marseillaise used during important events and ceremonies in France today?
Today in France, La Marseillaise, the French national anthem, is used during important events and ceremonies. It was composed during the French Revolution by Claude-Joseph Rouget de Lisle in 1792. Originally named "Chant de guerre de l’armée du Rhin" ("War Song of the Army of the Rhine"), it gained popularity with volunteer army units from Marseille, leading to its new name. The Convention adopted it as the French national anthem on July 14, 1795. Only the first and sixth verses are typically sung on public occasions.
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La Marseillaise, French national anthem, composed in one night during the French Revolution (April 24, 1792) by Claude-Joseph Rouget de Lisle, a captain of the engineers and amateur musician.
After France declared war on Austria on April 20, 1792, P.F. Dietrich, the mayor of Strasbourg (where Rouget de Lisle was then quartered), expressed the need for a marching song for the French troops. “La Marseillaise” was Rouget de Lisle’s response to this call. Originally entitled “Chant de guerre de l’armée du Rhin” (“War Song of the Army of the Rhine”), the anthem came to be called “La Marseillaise” because of its popularity with volunteer army units from Marseille. The spirited and majestic song made an intense impression whenever it was sung at Revolutionary public occasions. The Convention accepted it as the French national anthem in a decree passed on July 14, 1795. “La Marseillaise” was banned by Napoleon during the empire and by Louis XVIII on the Second Restoration (1815) because of its Revolutionary associations. Authorized after the July Revolution of 1830, it was again banned by Napoleon III and not reinstated until 1879.
The original text of “La Marseillaise” had six verses, and a seventh and last verse (not written by Rouget de Lisle) was later added. Only the first and sixth verses of the anthem are customarily used at public occasions. The text of these two verses follows, along with an English translation:
Allons, enfants de la patrie,
Le jour de gloire est arrivé.
Contre nous, de la tyrannie,
L’étendard sanglant est levé; l’étendard
sanglant est levé.
Entendez-vous, dans les campagnes
Mugir ces féroces soldats?
Ils viennent jusque dans nos bras
Égorger nos fils, nos compagnes.
Aux armes, citoyens!
Formez vos bataillons,
Marchons, marchons!
Qu’un sang impur
Abreuve nos sillons.
Amour sacré de la Patrie,
Conduis, soutiens nos bras vengeurs.
Liberté, liberté chérie,
Combats avec tes défenseurs; combats
avec tes défenseurs.
Sous nos drapeaux, que la victoire
Accoure à tes mâles accents;
Que tes ennemis expirants
Voient ton triomphe et notre gloire!
Aux armes, citoyens! etc.
(Let us go, children of the fatherland,
Our day of glory has arrived.
Against us the bloody flag of tyranny
is raised; the bloody
flag is raised.
Do you hear in the countryside
The roar of those savage soldiers?
They come right into our arms
To cut the throats of our sons, our comrades.
To arms, citizens!
Form your battalions,
Let us march, let us march!
That their impure blood
Should water our fields.
Sacred love of the fatherland,
Guide and support our vengeful arms.
Liberty, beloved liberty,
Fight with your defenders; fight
with your defenders.
Under our flags, so that victory
Will rush to your manly strains;
That your dying enemies
Should see your triumph and glory!
To arms, citizens! etc.)
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