The Brabançonne facts for kids
Cover of a score of the Brabançonne, dated around 1910
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| National anthem of |  Belgium |
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| Lyrics | Jenneval (Louis-Alexandre Dechet), 1830 |
| Music | François Van Campenhout, 1830 |
| Adopted | 1860, 1921 |
The Brabançonne is the national anthem of Belgium. A national anthem is a special song that represents a country. It is often sung at important events. The Brabançonne was first written in French. Later, versions were made for all three official languages of Belgium: French, Dutch, and German.
Contents
Belgium's National Anthem
How the Anthem Began
The Brabançonne was created in September 1830. This was during the Belgian Revolution. The revolution was a time when people in Belgium fought for their independence. They wanted to become a separate country from the Netherlands.
The words were written by a person known as Jenneval. His real name was Louis-Alexandre Dechet. The music was composed by François Van Campenhout. Both the words and music were created in 1830.
Becoming the Official Anthem
In 1860, Belgium officially chose the Brabançonne as its national anthem. This meant it was the country's special song. At that time, the Prime Minister, Charles Rogier, made a change. Some of the original words were removed. These words had been against the Dutch Prince of Orange. The new words were more about unity for Belgium.
The Words We Sing Today
The Brabançonne has four verses. However, usually only the fourth verse is sung at official events. This verse is sung in all three official languages of Belgium. Here are the words of the fourth verse in English:
- O Belgium - O mother dear -
- To you we stretch our hearts and arms,
- With blood to spill for you, O fatherland!
- We swear with one cry - You shall live!
- You shall live, so great and beautiful,
- And your invincible unity
- Shall have for device immortal -
- The King, and Law, and Liberty!
- Shall have for device immortal -
- The King, and Law, and Liberty!
- The King, and Law, and Liberty!
- The King, and Law, and Liberty!
Images for kids
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Score of the Brabançonne
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Lithograph of Campenhout singing the Brabançonne
See also
In Spanish: La Brabanzona para niños
