East German National Anthem

Watch the East German National Anthem in German with English translation

The East German national anthem was ' Auferstanden aus Ruinen '(Risen from the Ruins)

The lyrics were written by Johannes Robert Becher (1891-1958) in 1949, the melody by Hans Eisler (1898-1962). The melody resembles those of Goodbye Johnny, sung by the popular German singer Hans Albers in the German western movie Wasser für Canitoga (1939) .Eisler had lived in the US, but was deported in 1948 during the Red scare. In the 1970s, the lyrics were no longer sung at official ceremonies due to the mention of German unification . When the lyrics were written in 1949, German unification was expected . By the 1970s, both countries were recognized by the UN. Fearing absorption by West Germany, Honecker began a policy of Abgrenzung, stressing the supposed historic separateness of East Germany to West Germany .

German lyrics

Auferstanden aus Ruinen
und der Zukunft zugewandt,
lasst uns Dir zum Guten dienen,
Deutschland, einig Vaterland.
Alte Not gilt es zu zwingen,
und wir zwingen sie vereint,
denn es muss uns doch gelingen,
dass die Sonne schön wie nie
über Deutschland scheint,
über Deutschland scheint.

Glück und Friede sei beschieden
Deutschland, unserm Vaterland.
Alle Welt sehnt sich nach Frieden,
reicht den Völkern eure Hand.
Wenn wir brüderlich uns einen,
schlagen wir des Volkes Feind.
Lasst das Licht des Friedens scheinen,
dass nie eine Mutter mehr
ihren Sohn beweint,
ihren Sohn beweint.

Lasst uns pflügen, lasst uns bauen,
lernt und schafft wie nie zuvor,
und der eignen Kraft vertrauend
steigt ein frei Geschlecht empor.
Deutsche Jugend, bestes Streben
unsres Volks in dir vereint,
wirst du Deutschlands neues Leben.
Und die Sonne schön wie nie
über Deutschland scheint,
über Deutschland scheint.

English translation

Risen from the ruins
and faced towards the future,
Let us serve you for the good,
Germany, united fatherland.
Old woes we will have to conquer,
and, united, so we shall,
For it lies within our power
that the sun, beautiful as never before,
Shines over Germany,
shines over Germany.

Happiness and peace may be granted
Germany, our fatherland.
All the world now longs for peace,
so go forth and extend your hand.
When as brothers we unite,
we defeat the people's foe.
Let it shine, the light of Peace!
so that no mother again must
Mourn her son,
mourn her son.

Let us plough, let us build,
learn and work as never before,
And, in confidence and strength,
a free generation will come forth.
German youth, the best endeavor
of our people combined in you,
You will give Germany new life.
Then may the sun, more beautiful than ever
Shine over Germany,
shine over Germany.