Napoleon - Appendix-III

Appendix-III

La Marseillaise

"La Marseillaise"¹ was written and composed by Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle in 1792. The French National Convention adopted it as the Republic's anthem in 1795. The name of the song is due tofirst being sung on the streets by volunteers from the city of Marseille.

The song is the first example of the "European march" anthemic style. The anthem's evocative melody and lyrics have led to its wide­spread use as a song of revolution and its incorporation into many pieces of classical and popular music.

This song went all over Europe during the Napoleonic wars to­gether with the tricolor f lag of the Revolution. The Marseillaise re­mains to this day the national anthem of France. There are six cou­

plets in the full song. We give below the first and last couplets, which are more commonly sung in various ceremonies together with the refrain.

La Marseillaise

Allons enfants de la Patrie,

Arise, children of the Fatherland,

l. La Marseillaise or "the Song of Marseille" is the national anthem of France. The song was originally titled "Chant de guerre pour 1'Armee du Rhin" ("War Song for the Army of the Rhine").

Le jour de gloire est arrive !
                                   The day of glory has arrived!
Contre nous de la tyrannie,
                                   Against us of tyranny
L'etendard sanglant est leve, (bis)
                                   The bloody banner is raised, (repeat)
Entendez-vous dans les campagnes
                                   Do you hear, in the countryside,
Mugir ces feroces soldats ?
                                   The roar of those ferocious soldiers?
Ils viennent jusque dans nos bras
                                   They're coming right into our arms
Égorger nos fils et nos compagnes !
                                   To cut the throats of our sons and women!

Aux armes, citoyens,
                              To arms, citizens,
Formez vos bataillons,
                              Form your battalions,
Marchons, marchons !
                             Let's march, let's march!
Qu'un sang impur
                             Waters our furrows!

[...]

Amour sacre de la Patrie,
                              Sacred love of the Fatherland,
Conduis, soutiens nos bras vengeurs
                              Lead, support our avenging arms
Liberte, Liberte cherie,
                              Liberty, cherished Liberty,
Combats avec tes defenseurs ! (bis)