Key Takeaways
- 'La Marseillaise' is the French national anthem, composed by Claude-Joseph Rouget de Lisle in 1792.
- The anthem has a revolutionary tone and has been banned and reinstated several times in French history.
- 'La Marseillaise' remains a significant cultural symbol and is often included in popular songs and films worldwide.
"La Marseillaise" is the French national anthem, and it has a long history that speaks to the history of France itself. In both French and English, the song is a powerful and patriotic anthem known throughout the world.
If you are studying the French language, learning the words to "La Marseillaise" is highly recommended. The table below lists the side-by-side translation from French to English to help you understand its meaning and why it is so important to the people of France.
The Lyrics for 'La Marseillaise'
"La Marseillaise" was composed by Claude-Joseph Rouget de Lisle in 1792 and was first declared the French national anthem in 1795. There is much more to the song's story, which you can find below. First, however, learn how to sing "La Marseillaise" and understand the English translation of the lyrics, as well as these interesting facts related to the song:
- Rouget de Lisle originally wrote the first six verses. The seventh was added sometime later in 1792, according to the French government, though no one knows whom to credit for the last verse.
- The refrain is generally repeated after each stanza.
- At French public performances today, including sporting events, you will often find that only the first verse and the refrain are sung.
- On occasion, the first, sixth, and seventh verses are sung. Again, the refrain is repeated between each.
French | English Translation by Laura K. Lawless |
---|---|
Verse 1: Allons enfants de la patrie, |
Verse 1: Let's go children of the fatherland, The day of glory has arrived!Against us tyranny's Bloody flag is raised! (repeat) In the countryside, do you hear The roaring of these fierce soldiers? They come right to our arms To slit the throats of our sons, our friends! |
Refrain: Aux armes, citoyens ! |
Refrain: Grab your weapons, citizens! |
Verse 2: Que veut cette horde d'esclaves,De traîtres, de rois conjurés ? Pour qui ces ignobles entraves, Ces fers dès longtemps préparés ? (bis) Français ! pour nous, ah ! quel outrage ! Quels transports il doit exciter ! C'est nous qu'on ose méditer De rendre à l'antique esclavage ! |
Verse 2: This horde of slaves, traitors, plotting kings,What do they want? For whom these vile shackles, These long-prepared irons? (repeat) Frenchmen, for us, oh! what an insult! What emotions that must excite! It is us that they dare to consider Returning to ancient slavery! |
Verse 3: Quoi ! ces cohortes étrangèresFeraient la loi dans nos foyers ! Quoi ! ces phalanges mercenaires Terrasseraient nos fiers guerriers ! (bis) Grand Dieu ! par des mains enchaînées Nos fronts sous le joug se ploiraient ! De vils despotes deviendraient Les maîtres de nos destinées ! |
Verse 3: What! These foreign troopsWould make laws in our home! What! These mercenary phalanxes Would bring down our proud warriors! (repeat) Good Lord! By chained hands Our brows would bend beneath the yoke! Vile despots would become The masters of our fate! |
Verse 4: Tremblez, tyrans ! et vous, perfides,L'opprobre de tous les partis, Tremblez ! vos projets parricides Vont enfin recevoir leur prix ! (bis) Tout est soldat pour vous combattre, S'ils tombent, nos jeunes héros, La France en produit de nouveaux, Contre vous tout prêts à se battre ! |
Verse 4: Tremble, tyrants! and you, traitors,The disgrace of all groups, Tremble! Your parricidal plans Will finally pay the price! (repeat) Everyone is a soldier to fight you, If they fall, our young heros, France will make more, Ready to battle you! |
Verse 5: Français, en guerriers magnanimes,Portez ou retenez vos coups ! Épargnez ces tristes victimes, A regret s'armant contre nous. (bis) Mais ces despotes sanguinaires, Mais ces complices de Bouillé, Tous ces tigres qui, sans pitié, Déchirent le sein de leur mère ! |
Verse 5: Frenchmen, as magnanimous warriors,Bear or hold back your blows! Spare these sad victims, Regretfully arming against us. (repeat) But not these bloodthirsty despots, But not these accomplices of Bouillé, All of these animals who, without pity, Tear their mother's breast to pieces! |
Verse 6: Amour sacré de la patrie,Conduis, soutiens nos bras vengeurs ! Liberté, Liberté chérie, Combats avec tes défenseurs ! (bis) Sous nos drapeaux, que la victoire Accoure à tes mâles accents ! Que tes ennemis expirants Voient ton triomphe et notre gloire ! |
Verse 6: Sacred love of France,Lead, support our avenging arms! Liberty, beloved Liberty, Fight with your defenders! (repeat) Under our flags, let victory Hasten to your manly tones! May your dying enemies See your triumph and our glory! |
Verse 7: Nous entrerons dans la carrièreQuand nos aînés n'y seront plus ; Nous y trouverons leur poussière Et la trace de leurs vertus. (bis) Bien moins jaloux de leur survivre Que de partager leur cercueil, Nous aurons le sublime orgueil De les venger ou de les suivre ! |
Verse 7: We will enter the pitWhen our elders are no longer there; There, we will find their dust And the traces of their virtues. (repeat) Much less eager to outlive them Than to share their casket, We will have the sublime pride Of avenging them or following them! |
The History of 'La Marseillaise'
In April 1792, Rouget de Lisle was a captain of engineers stationed in Strasbourg near the Rhine River. The mayor of the town called for an anthem just days after the French declared war on Austria. The amateur musician penned the song in a single night, giving it the title of "Chant de guerre de l’armée du Rhin" (“Battle Hymn of the Army of the Rhine”).
Rouget de Lisle's new song was an instant hit with the French troops as they marched. It soon took on the name "La Marseillaise" because it was particularly popular with volunteer units from Marseille. On July 14, 1795, the French declared "La Marseillaise" the national song.
"La Marseillaise" has a very revolutionary tone. Rouget de Lisle himself supported the monarchy, but the spirit of the song was quickly picked up by revolutionaries. The controversy did not stop in the 18th century but has lasted over the years, and the lyrics remain the subject of debate today.
- Napoleon banned the anthem under the Empire (1804-1815).
- It was also banned in 1815 by King Louis XVIII.
- "La Marseillaise" was reinstated in 1830.
- The song was again banned during the rule of Napoleon III (1852-1870).
- "La Marseillaise" was once again reinstated in 1879.
- In 1887, an "official version" was adopted by France's Ministry of War.
- After the liberation of France during World War II, the Ministry of Education encouraged school children to sing the anthem to "celebrate our liberation and our martyrs."
- "La Marseillaise" was declared the official national anthem in Article 2 of the 1946 and 1958 constitutions.
"La Marseillaise" is widely popular, and it is not uncommon for the song to make an appearance in popular songs and movies. Most famously, it was used in part by Tchaikovsky in his "1812 Overture" (debuted in 1882). The song also formed an emotional and unforgettable scene in the 1942 classic film "Casablanca."