Originally written as a war song, La Marseillais’ has evolved into a symbol of unity and solidarity – and here’s what it means
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Goal has what you need to know about their national anthem ‘La Marseillaise’ and more.
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What is La Marseillaise?
‘La Marseillaise’ is the French national anthem. It was composed in a single night in 1792 by Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle in Strasbourg following the declaration of war against Austria by France.
The mayor of Strasbourg decided the French troops needed an appropriate marching song, and Rouget de Lisle responded with ‘La Marseillaise’.
The song was originally titled ‘Chant de guerre de l’armee du Rhin’ (War Song of the Army of the Rhine’), but the anthem eventually became known as ‘La Marseillaise’ due to its popularity with volunteer troops from the French city of Marseille.
What is the meaning behind La Marseillaise?
The lyrics of ‘La Marseillaise’ evoke themes of defiance and strength, urging the French citizens to “Marchons! Marchons!”, meaning “let’s march”.
‘La Marseillaise’ was sung by army troops from Marseilles as they travelled to Paris, and is a spirited anthem meant to be sung with passion and enthusiasm, inspiring solidarity within the French people.
Originally written as a war chant, the anthem has since served as a rallying cry and an opportunity for camaraderie and harmony.
Both France supporters and England supporters sang a rousing rendition of ‘La Marseillaise’ at Wembley Stadium in November 2015 as a show of unity following the Paris attacks. It made for an emotional showing, with both sets of fans rarely coming together to sing a country’s national anthem.
“There is a sense in which it is a very violent song, but people have taken it to mean the defense of freedom – that is obviously what is in people’s minds today,” said David Andress, Professor of Modern History at University of Portsmouth about the anthem.
“Music and song are very important cultural forces in generating cohesion. Whether it be national anthems, or religious music, or hymns, or folk songs, there is a very emotional, primal response to singing in union.”
The original lyrics to ‘La Marseillaise’ had six verses, but only the first and sixth verses of the anthem are usually sung at public events. The text of these two verses are shown below, along with an accompanying English translation.
La Marseillaise lyrics (French):
Allons enfants de la Patrie,
Le jour de gloire est arrive !
Contre nous de la tyrannie
L’etendard sanglant est leve, (bis)
Entendez-vous dans les campagnes
Mugir ces feroces soldats ?
Ils viennent jusque dans vos bras
Egorger vos fils, vos compagnes !
Aux armes, citoyens,
Formez vos bataillons,
Marchons, marchons !
Qu’un sang impur
Abreuve nos sillons !
Que veut cette horde d’esclaves,
De traitres, de rois conjures ?
Pour qui ces ignobles entraves,
Ces fers des longtemps prepares ? (bis)
Francais, pour nous, ah! quel outrage
Quels transports il doit exciter !
C’est nous qu’on ose mediter
De rendre a l’antique esclavage !
Aux armes, citoyens…
La Marseillaise lyrics (English):
Arise, children of the Fatherland,
The day of glory has arrived!
Against us, tyranny’s
Bloody standard is raised, (repeat)
Do you hear, in the countryside,
The roar of those ferocious soldiers?
They’re coming right into your arms
To cut the throats of your sons, your women!
To arms, citizens,
Form your battalions,
March, march!
Let an impure blood
Water our furrows!
What does this horde of slaves,
Of traitors and conspiring kings want?
For whom have these vile chains,
These irons, been long prepared? (repeat)
Frenchmen, for us, ah! What outrage
What furious action it must arouse!
It is to us they dare plan
A return to the old slavery!
To arms, citizens…
