Lyrics
Der er et yndigt land
Der er et yndigt land,
det står med brede bøge
nær salten østerstrand;
det bugter sig i bakke, dal,
det hedder gamle Danmark,
og det er Frejas sal.
Vort gamle Danmark skal bestå,
så længe bøgen spejler
sin top i bølgen blå.
English translation
There is a lovely country,
it stands with broad beech trees
near the salty eastern shore;
it winds through hill and valley,
it is called old Denmark,
and it is Freya's hall.
May our old Denmark endure,
as long as the beech tree reflects
its crown in the blue wave.
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History
Denmark Has Two Official Anthems! Few countries have two official national anthems. Der er et yndigt land is the civil anthem, Kong Christian stod ved højen mast is the royal/military anthem. At royal events, both may be played.
The anthem references Norse mythology; the line: ‘og det er Frejas sal’ means: ‘and it is Freya's hall’. Freya is one of the most important goddesses in Norse mythology.
Oehlenschläger's original poem had many verses. Today only a few selected verses are normally sung. At sporting events, often only the first verse and the final lines are performed.
The lyrics date from 1819, making it one of the older European national anthems still in official use today.
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