The Wilhelmus and other national symbols
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The Wilhelmus (the world's oldest national anthem. Having been in use since the dawn of our independence apart and having only been replaced between 1815 and 1932).
The Wilhelmus has no less then 15 stanza's forming the acrostic WILLEM VAN NASSOV in the original spelling. But normally only the first and sixth stanza are actually used or in most cases only the first- I am using the contemporary lyrics :
Wilhelmus van Nassouwe
ben ik, van Duitsen bloed,
den vaderland getrouwe
blijf ik tot in den dood.
Een Prinse van Oranje
ben ik, vrij, onverveerd,
den Koning van Hispanje
heb ik altijd geëerd.
Mijn schild ende betrouwen
zijt Gij, o God mijn Heer,
op U zo wil ik bouwen,
Verlaat mij nimmermeer.
Dat ik doch vroom mag blijven,
uw dienaar t'aller stond,
de tirannie verdrijven
die mij mijn hart doorwondt.
In English:
William of Nassau, scion
Of a German and ancient line,
I dedicate undying
Faith to this land of mine.
A prince am I undaunted,
Of Orange, ever free,
To the king of Spain I've granted
A lifelong loyalty.
A shield and my reliance,
O God, Thou ever wert.
I'll trust unto Thy guidance.
O leave me not ungirt.
That I may stay a pious
Servant of Thine for aye
And drive the plagues that try us
And tyranny away.
The old national anthem - which was in use between 1815 and 1932 - the lyrics were altered in 1898. The old anthem is now no longer used in any way:
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Wien Neêrlands Bloed
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)
In English:
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)
The Dutch flag:
http://willothewisp.nl/wp-content/up...lag_wimpel.jpg
The flag -- the orange pennant is usually only used on birthdays of members of the Royal Family, on Liberation Day and some more special days. (for the Dutch - there is a list of those days here.)
The colour orange is a symbol of the Royal Family.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...n_van_1907.jpg
The Greater Coat of Arms of the Realm or Groot Rijkswapen or Koninklijk Wapen is used by the monarch.
http://www.mieks.com/info/themas/the...rijkswapen.gif
The normal Rijkswapen is usually used by government agencies and also appears on the Dutch passport. The sword wielding lion is usually used a kind of national emblem.
