National anthems of Germany

[Ivan Ž.]

Hello and

Yes, it is a good recording, but please credit the source of the file.

Cheers,
Ivan

[ManfredV]

First verse talks about borders of land that was german speaking and/or part of German Confederation at that time. Of course this is different today.
Deutschlandlied was written in a time when Germany was split into several monarchistic and not really democratic states. It was a yearning for a free democratic and united Germany. "Deutschland über alles" doesn't mean "Germany should rule the world " or "it is better than other countries".
It means "Germany should be first in my political yearning for unity, justice and liberty ". Its not chauvinistic or nationalistic but patriotic. So there is nothing wrong.
Deutschlandlied wasn't national anthem in Kaiserreich, they used "Heil dir im Siegerkranz".
Weimar Republic made Deutschlandlied national anthem. During Nazi time it was played/sung together with Horst-Wessel-Lied, which was de facto Nazi hymn.
After war new Federal Republic of Germany looked for a new hymn. Several other songs were discussed. Even president Heuss prefered another one. But at last they took Deutschlandlied, which stands for a free democratic and united Germany.
First verse is not forbidden but not used anymore, because it was discredited and could be misunderstood. Second verse sounds banal and ridiculous in modern view.
But third verse says whats important for Germany.
Compare Deutschlandlied with La Marseillaise and US national anthem: which ones are the bloodthirsty and martial ones?
Each anthem has it's historical context and has several interpretations during different eras. The way Nazis used Deutschlandlied is contrary to Hoffmann von Fallersleben's and german democratic movement's intention. But like many other german democrats and liberals Hoffmann later became more nationalistic and supported Bismarck.
By the way, Swiss national anthem "Schweizerpsalm" is a very good example of an hymn that shows pride and love for the home country without threating or martial behavior.

[Musikus1871]

Hello everyone,
A version of the Deutschlandlied that was allegedly recorded at the 1936 Olympics has been circulating on the Internet for a long time. Is this true? Does anyone know the original source?
Thanks,
Musikus

[jdarrylf]

[Split from Neues Deutschland]

On the Hammer cassette Stormtrooper Marches Vol. II from 1985, track 5 is titled “Das Neue Deutschlandlied (The New German Anthem, without chorus), and Track 6 “Das Neue Deutschlandlied (The New German Anthem, with chorus). This cassette is the only place I have found this recording, and it has no information about it.

[Ivan Ž.]

Hello, jdarrylf

I don't have that cassette, but judging by the title and your description, it's the East German anthem "Auferstanden aus Ruinen", by Johannes R. Becher and Hanns Eisler, 1949. There was an unofficial release of its two "Eterna" recordings, with and without chorus, under the title "Das neue Deutschlandlied" (scan, sound). A weird thing to be included on a Stormtrooper music album.

Cheers,
Ivan

[jdarrylf]

Bingo! That’s it. Wow Ivan, you really know your stuff!
No wonder I couldn’t find it anywhere else, it has nothing to do with stormtroopers, or the Third Reich at all. Thanks for clearing that up!