National Anthems- Group H: Belgium, Algeria, Russia, Korea Republic

Click here to return to the main page- National Anthems: The Music of the World Cup. This page has a directory to link you to all the national anthems for the teams in the 2014 World Cup.

Edited by Will Clark (2015)

Belgium

 

La Brabançonne

O Belgique, ô mère chérie,
A toi nos coeurs, à toi nos bras,
A toi notre sang, ô Patrie !
Nous le jurons tous, tu vivras !
Tu vivras toujours grande et belle
Et ton invincible unité
Aura pour devise immortelle:
Le Roi, la Loi, la Liberté !
Aura pour devise immortelle:
Le Roi, la Loi, la Liberté !
Le Roi, la Loi, la Liberté !
Le Roi, la Loi, la Liberté !

The Song of Brabant

O Belgium, dear mother,
To you our hearts, to you our arms,
To you our blood, o fatherland!
We all vow: you will live!
You will always live in grandeur and beauty.
And the immortal motto
Of your invincible unity will be:
For King, Right and Liberty!
Of your invincible unity will be:
For King, Right and Liberty!
For King, Right and Liberty!
For King, Right and Liberty!

 Analysis

Written in 1830 after Belgium claimed independence from the Netherlands, the national anthem, “The Song of Brabant,” champions loyalty to one’s country and inspires a proud fire in the hearts of Belgian citizens. Although it’s name originally belonged to the nation’s capital, the anthem’s title now refers to Brabant, the province where Brussels is located. Positioned between France, The Netherlands, and Germany, Belgium has three national languages: French, German, and Dutch. Therefore, the anthem has an official set of lyrics in each of the three in order to accommodate for the preferences of the players. As in other multilingual countries, the direct translation of the lyrics leads to moderate discrepancies at first glance, however, the energy, passion, and significance remain the same; “The Song of Brabant,” motivates the Belgian national team and evokes a desire to bring the cup home.[1]

Belgium’s Vincent Kompany will be a key player. Learn more here!


Algeria

 

قسما

قسما بالنازلات الماحقات
و الدماء الزاكيات الطاهرات
و البنود اللامعات الخافقات
في الجبال الشامخات الشاهقات
نحن ثرنا فحياة أو ممات
و عقدنا العزم أن تحيا الجزائر
فاشهدوا… فاشهدوا… فاشهدوا…

We Pledge  

We swear by the lightning that destroys,
By the streams of generous blood being shed,
By the bright flags that wave,
Flying proudly on the high djebels,
That we are in revolt, whether to live or to die,
We are determined that Algeria should live,
So be our witness -be our witness -be our witness!

 Analysis

Previously a French colony, Algeria gained its independence in 1962, after the gruesome Algerian War. A year later, the newly founded nation adopted the poem of writer Moufdi Zakariah’s, entitled “We Pledge,” as a national anthem. The lines, wearily written in 1956 by Zakariah as he withered in a French jail for his nationalist views, speak to the tenacious determination of the Algerian people. It is not surprising, therefore, that the text contains an intense anti-French sentiment, often leading to the omission of the third verse during performances. The energetic musical accompaniment, later composed by Mohamed Fawzi, skillfully captures the emotion of the time. “We Pledge” excites the courageous Algerian national team to battle until the final whistle.[2]

Keep an eye on Algeria’s Saphir Sliti Taïder. He is one to watch!


Russia

 

Государственный гимн Российской Федерации

Россия – священная наша держава,
Россия – любимая наша страна.
Могучая воля, великая слава –
Твое достоянье на все времена!

CHORUS:
Славься, Отечество наше свободное,
Братских народов союз вековой,
Предками данная мудрость народная!
Славься, страна! Мы гордимся тобой!

National Anthem of the Russian Federation

Russia – our sacred stronghold,
Russia – our beloved country.
A mighty will, a great glory
Are your heritage for all times!

CHORUS:
Be glorious, our free Motherland,
Ancient union of brotherly peoples,
Ancestor given wisdom of the people!
Be glorious, country! We take pride in you!

Analysis

Drafted in 2000, the Russian national anthem is on the younger side of the spectrum. Since the disintegration of the Soviet Union, there had been a growing public dissent regarding the absence of lyrics. This dissatisfaction resulted in President Vladimir Putin presenting a bill that would resurrect the melody of the Soviet anthem, while rewriting the lyrics to account for the fact that Russia was no longer a communist country. The bill was approved by the national assembly and lyrics submitted by Sergei Vladimirovich Mikhalkov were chosen to accompany the revitalized harmony. The anthem sparked considerable controversy, with some claiming it discredited the new democracy, while others felt it too representative of the past Stalinist government. Furthermore, although the composition has not undergone a transformation, the existence of past lyrics gives an interesting history of Russia’s political transformation over the past century. Nonetheless, upon hearing the anthem, the Russian national team strives to bring glory to the Motherland.[3]

Watch out for Russia’s Alan Dzagoev. Learn more here.


Korea Republic

 

애국가동해 물과 백두산이 마르고 닳도록
하느님이 보우하사 우리나라 만세CHORUS:
무궁화 삼천리 화려강산
대한사람 대한으로 길이 보전하세
Patriotic Song

Until that day when the waters of the Eastern Sea run dry and Mt. Baekdu is worn away,
God protect and preserve our nation.

CHORUS:
Three thousand Li of splendid rivers and mountains, filled with Roses of Sharon;
Great Korean people, stay true to the Great Korean way!

 Analysis

“Aegukga” paints a vivid picture of the beautiful landscape that fuels South Korean nationalism. The patriotic lyrics were written in the 1890’s and were sung to the tune of “Auld Lang Syne,” an old Scottish folk song. Although it was banned by the Japanese during occupation, it remained popular among the Korean public, who hoped for a reclamation of national freedom. In 1935, composer Ahn Eaktay drafted a new arrangement with a greater connection with Korean identity and it was adopted by the exiled Korean government. Post-liberation, South Korea was founded and the Korean government was established in 1948 and the anthem was adopted officially. [4] “Aegukga” is one of my personal favorite anthems in this year’s World Cup, whispering a mellow elegance that builds into a final rushing crescendo at the end of the chorus.

Be sure to watch Sung Yong Ki, the central midfielder on the Korean team. Here is a little more about him.


References

[1]  “Belgium » nationalanthems.info.” nationalanthems.info. Ed. David Kendall. Web. 9 Dec 2013.

[2] “Algeria » nationalanthems.info.” nationalanthems.info. Ed. David Kendall. Web. 9 Dec 2013.

[3] “Russia» nationalanthems.info.” nationalanthems.info. Ed. David Kendall. Web. 9 Dec 2013.

[4]  “South Korea» nationalanthems.info.” nationalanthems.info. Ed. David Kendall. Web. 9 Dec 2013.

How to cite this article: “National Anthems: The Music of the World Cup,” Written by Jordan Pearson (2013), World Cup 2014, Soccer Politics Blog, Duke University, http://sites.duke.edu/wcwp (accessed on (date)). 


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