National Anthem of the German Empire - Heil dir im Siegerkranz (Instrumental)

"Heil dir im Siegerkranz" ("Hail to Thee in the Victor's Crown", literally: "Hail to Thee in the Victor's Wreath") was the official national anthem of the German Empire from 1871 to 1918.

Before the foundation of the Empire in 1871, it had been the royal anthem of Prussia since 1795 and remained it after 1871. The melody of the hymn derived from the British anthem "God Save the King". For these reasons, the song failed to become popular within all of Germany.

(German Lyrics / Liedtext)
Heil dir im Siegerkranz,
Herrscher des Vaterlands!
Heil, Kaiser, dir!
Fühl' in des Thrones Glanz
Die hohe Wonne ganz,
Liebling des Volks zu sein!
Heil Kaiser, dir!

(English Lyrics / Translation)
Hail to thee in the Victor's Wreath,
Ruler of the fatherland!
Hail to thee, emperor!
Feel by the splendor of the throne
The greatest joy fully
To be the favorite of the people!
Hail to thee, emperor!

Nationalhymne Deutsches Kaiserreich / Nationalhymne des Deutschen Reiches / Hymne National de l'Empire Allemand / Himno del Imperio Alemán / Гимн Германской Империи / Inno dell'Impero Tedesco / Hino do Império Alemão /