La Marseillaise
La Marseillaise is the national anthem of France.
It was written by Rouget de Lisle in Strasbourg on April 26, 1792. It was first called "Chant de guerre pour l'armée du Rhin" ("Marching Song of the Rhine Army").
| Original French | English Translation |
|---|---|
|
Allons enfants de la Patrie, le jour de gloire est arrivé! Contre nous de la tyrannie, L’étendard sanglant est levé, (2x) Entendez-vous dans les campagnes Mugir ces féroces soldats? Ils viennent jusque dans vos bras Egorger vos fils, vos compagnes.
Formez vos bataillons, Marchons, marchons! Qu’un sang impur abreuve nos sillons! |
Let us go, children of France, the day of glory has come! Against us, tyranny's blood-stained flag is raised(2x) Do you hear in the countryside The roars of ferocious soldiers? They have come up to your arms To kill your sons and wives
Form your battalions, March, march! So that the impure blood [of our enemies] May water our fields! |
Quotation in music
Composers have often quoted La Marseillaise in their music, for example Tchaikovsky uses it in the 1812 overture.