WILHELMUS

Wilhelmus: translation

The Dutch national anthem, the first line of which runs “Wilhelmus van Nassauwe, Ben ick van Duytschen bloet” (William of Nassau, am I of German blood). The song was written around 1570 and is part of a collection of so-called sea beggarsongs published in the Nieu Geusen lieden boecxken [New Beggars Song Book, 1581]. The melody, after a French soldiers’ song, was re worked by Dutch composer Adriaen Valerius (1575–1625). During the nationalist upheaval of the early 19th century, the song “Wien Neerlands bloed,” written in 1817 by Dutch poet Hendrik Tollens (1780–1856), was sung as the national anthem instead. However, in 1932, “Wilhelmus” was officially reinstated.