National Anthem of Belgium

Historical Background

The National Anthem of Belgium titled “La Brabanconne” has three official versions- Dutch, French and German, all three being the official languages of Belgium. The lyrics of the ‘'La Brabanconne” was written by a young revolutionary with the pseudonym ‘Jenneval' and music was composed by Francois Van Campenhout, a violinist. Jenneval's real name was Hippolyte Louis-Alexandre Dechet, who was a French actor and poet. The French version of the National Anthem of Belgium was formally adopted in 1860 after being edited by Prime Minister Charles Rogier. The Dutch version of the National anthem was adopted in 1938.

It is to be noted that only the fourth stanza of Rogier's edited version of the National Anthem can be regarded as official as per the verdict from the Ministry of the Interior, dated 8 August, 1921

As the country's national symbol, the National anthem of Belgium is sung with much pride and reverence on events of national significance.

Here are the lyrics of the official versions of the National anthem of Belgium in Dutch and French.

Official French Version

Noble Belgique, à jamais terre chérie,

À toi nos cœurs, à toi nos bras,

Par le sang pur répandu pour toi, Patrie!

Nous le jurons d'un seul cri: tu vivras!

Tu vivras toujours grande et belle

Et ton invincible unité

|: Aura pour devise immortelle:

Le Roi, la Loi, la Liberté! :|

Le Roi, la Loi, la Liberté! (2x)

La Liberté

Official Dutch version

O dierbaar België, O heilig land der Vad'ren,

Onze ziel en ons hart zijn u gewijd

Aanvaard ons kracht en bloed van ons ad'ren,

Wees ons doel in arbeid en in strijd.

Bloei, o land, in eendracht niet te breken;

Wees immer uzelf en ongeknecht,

Het woord getrouw, dat g' onbevreesd moogt spreken,

Voor Vorst, voor Vrijheid en voor Recht. :|

Voor Vorst, voor Vrijheid en voor Recht. (2x)