![]() It was divided into small regions which is why this poet tried to encourage the idea of German unity. Belt (refers to the Straits of Denmark)Īt the time the poem was written, Germany still was not a country.Memel (river that passes through Lithuania and Russia).Meuse (river that passes through France, Belgium and the Netherlands).German women, German loyalty, German wine and German song! German women, German loyalty, German wine and German song Shall retain in the world Their old beautiful chime and inspire us to noble deeds during all of our life. From the Meuse to the Memel, from the Adige to the Belt, Germany, Germany above everything, Above everything in the world!ĭeutsche Frauen, deutsche Treue, Deutscher Wein und deutscher Sang Sollen in der Welt behalten Ihren alten schönen Klang, Uns zu edler Tat begeistern Unser ganzes Leben lang: Deutsche Frauen, deutsche Treue, Deutscher Wein und deutscher Sang! Germany, Germany above everything, above everything in the world, when, for protection and defense, it always takes a brotherly stand together. The other two stanzas of this poem are: Poem der Deutschenĭeutschland, Deutschland über alles, Über alles in der Welt, Wenn es stets zu Schutz und Trutze Brüderlich zusammenhält Von der Maas bis an die Memel, von der Etsch bis an den Belt: Deutschland, Deutschland über alles, Über alles in der Welt! The lyrics in the third stanza are from the poem "Das Lied der Deutschen" (Song of the Germans) from Hoffman von Fallersleben (1798-1874). ![]() The music was composed by the Austrian musician Joseph Haydn (1732-1809). Unity and justice and freedom for the German fatherland! For these let us all strive brotherly with heart and action! Unity and justice and freedom are the pledge of fortune flourish in this fortune's blessing, Flourish, German fatherland But the context is important to understanding this unsavoury snapshot from the national side's past.The anthem has 3 stanzas though only the last one is the official one: Official Anthem third stanzaĮinigkeit und Recht und Freiheit Für das deutsche Vaterland! Danach lasst uns alle streben Brüderlich mit Herz und Hand! Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit Sind des Glückes Unterpfand Blüh im Glanze dieses Glückes, Blühe, deutsches Vaterland None of this makes it any less shocking to see the England players giving the Nazi salute. The Daily Mail and its owner, Lord Rothermere, had been openly supportive of the Nazi regime the Duke of Windsor was known to be sympathetic to the Nazis (last year he was shown in a family film giving the salute with his niece, now Queen Elizabeth II) and many upper-class English people became close to leading Nazis, such as Mitford sisters Diana and Unity. It is also important to remember that Nazism was not wholly anathema in British society at the time, particularly among the upper classes. While then it was a gesture associated with an aggressive foreign power, it is now directly linked to the worst horrors of Nazism – particularly the systematic murder of more than 10 million Jews, Slavs, homosexuals, disabled persons, and others considered undesirable by the Nazis. What's more, the salute carries considerably more negative weight today than it did in 1938. READ MORE: The Battle of Beverwijk, Dutch Football's Brutal Hooligan Nadir Then as today, footballers were not exactly well versed in international politics. The players were acting on instruction from an official they were not spontaneously or independently supporting Nazism, a doctrine they are unlikely to have known a great deal about. It is of course necessary to put the gesture into context. England beat Germany comfortably, but there was indignation in sections of the British press. "Eddie Hapgood, normally a respected and devoted captain, wagged his finger at the official and told him what he could do with his Nazi salute, which involved putting it where the sun doesn't shine."īut Henderson's intervention was enough to force the players into submission. ![]() Stanley Matthews – who was among the goal-scorers in a 6-3 England win – recalled: "All the England players were livid and totally opposed to this, myself included.
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