Kong Christian stod ved højen mast (or King Christian stood by the lofty mast) is the Danish Royal Anthem. It also serves as one of the two national anthems but this one is almost exclusively used by the royal family and the military.
The lyrics first appeared in May 1778, in The Fishermen, a vaudeville play by Johannes Ewald. It is unknown who composed the music to the song.
The song primarily functions as a tribute to Danish naval heroes especially in the wars against Sweden in the 17th and 18th centuries.
The lyrics first appeared in May 1778, in The Fishermen, a vaudeville play by Johannes Ewald. It is unknown who composed the music to the song.
The song primarily functions as a tribute to Danish naval heroes especially in the wars against Sweden in the 17th and 18th centuries.
King Christian IV encouraging his men to keep fighting.
| Danish Lyrics Kong Christian stod ved højen masti røg og damp; hans værge hamrede så fast, at gotens hjelm og hjerne brast. Da sank hvert fjendtligt spejl og masti røg og damp. Fly, skreg de, fly, hvad flygte kan! hvo står for Danmarks Christian hvo står for Danmarks Christian i kamp? Niels Juel gav agt på stormens brag. Nu er det tid. Han hejsede det røde flag og slog på fjenden slag i slag. Da skreg de højt blandt stormens brag: Nu er det tid! Fly, skreg de, hver, som véd et skjul! hvo kan bestå mod Danmarks Juel hvo kan bestå mod Danmarks Juel i strid? O, Nordhav! Glimt af Wessel brød din mørke sky. Da ty'de kæmper til dit skød; thi med ham lynte skræk og død. Fra valen hørtes vrål, som brød den tykke sky. Fra Danmark lyner Tordenskjold; hver give sig i himlens vold hver give sig i himlens vold og fly! Du danskes vej til ros og magt, sortladne hav! Modtag din ven, som uforsagt tør møde faren med foragt så stolt som du mod stormens magt, sortladne hav! Og rask igennem larm og spil og kamp og sejr før mig til og kamp og sejr før mig til min grav! | English Lyrics King Christian stood by the lofty mast In mist and smoke; His sword was hammering so fast, Through Gothic helm and brain it passed; Then sank each hostile hulk and mast, In mist and smoke. "Fly!" shouted they, "fly, he who can! Who braves of Denmark's Christian, Who braves of Denmark's Christian, In battle?" Niels Juel gave heed to the tempest's roar, Now is the hour! He hoisted his blood-red flag once more, And smote upon the foe full sore, And shouted loud, through the tempest's roar, "Now is the hour!" "Fly!" shouted they, "for shelter fly! Of Denmark's Juel who can defy, Of Denmark's Juel who can defy, The power?" North Sea! a glimpse of Wessel rent Thy murky sky! Then champions to thine arms were sent; Terror and Death glared where he went; From the waves was heard a wail, that rent Thy murky sky! From Denmark thunders Tordenskiol', Let each to Heaven commend his soul, Let each to Heaven commend his soul, And fly! Path of the Dane to fame and might! Dark-rolling wave! Receive thy friend, who, scorning flight, Goes to meet danger with despite, Proudly as thou the tempest's might, Dark-rolling wave! And amid pleasures and alarms, And war and victory, be thine arms, And war and victory, be thine arms, My grave! |
Fun Fact: The original performance had only the fourth verse sung as, at the time, Denmark and Sweden were members of the same alliance.
Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour
Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour
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