The Marseillaise (War Song for the Army of the Rhine)
Annotation
Composed by Joseph Rouget de Lisle when he learned that France had declared war on Austria, the Marseillaise quickly became the anthem of the republican Revolution. it remains the French national anthem today. A republican anthem, the Marseillaise was considered suitable for all sorts of revolutionary events. While it was often sung casually in streets and parks, its learned composition also facilitated its adoption as a hymn by formally–trained musicians and singers.
This source is a part of the Legacies of the Revolution and Songs of the Revolution source collections.
Transcription
Marseillaise
( Chant de guerre pour l'armée du Rhin)
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 vos bras
Egorger vos fils, vos compagnes!
Refrain:
Aux armes, citoyens, formez vos bataillons,
Marchez, marchez, qu'un sang impur
abreuve nos sillons.
Que veut cet horde d'esclaves,
De traîtres, de rois conjurés?
Pour qui ces ignobles entraves,
Ces fers dès longtemps préparés?
Ces fers dès longtemps préparés?
Francais! Pour nous, ah quel outrage!
Quels transports il doit exciter!
C'est nous qu'on ose méditer
De rendre à l'antique esclavage?
Refrain
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
Accourt à tes mâles accents:
Que tes ennemis expirants
Voient ton triomphe et notre gloire
Refrain
Refrain
Translation
The Marseillaise
(The War Song for the Army of the Rhine)
Forward children of the homeland!
The day of glory has arrived;
Against us, tyranny's bloody standard
Has been raised.
Do you hear the roar of ferocious soldiers
Coming from the countryside?
They are coming into your very homes
To slaughter your sons and wives!
Refrain:
To arms, citizens, form your battalions,
March on, march on, let impure
blood water our furrows.
What do they want, this horde of slaves,
traitors, and conspiratorial kings?
For whom are these vile shackles,
These irons ready for so long!
These irons ready for so long!
French people! For us, oh what an insult!
What transports they must excite!
Is it us that they are daring to consider
Returning to antiquated slavery?
Refrain
Sacred love of the homeland,
Guide and strengthen our avenging arms
Liberty, beloved Liberty!
Fight alongside your defenders
Fight alongside your defenders
Beneath our banners to which Victory
Rushes to hear your manly tone:
So that your dying enemies
Will see your triumph and our glory.
Refrain
Refrain