Read on for an introduction to the Swiss Psalm, the national anthem of Switzerland.
What is the Swiss national anthem?
It’s also known as the Swiss Psalm (or Schweizerpsalm, or ‘Trittst im Morgenrot daher…’ in German; Cantique suisse in French; Salmo svizzero in Italian; and Psalm Svizzer in Romansh.
It exists in the German language, and in French, Italian and Romansh translations. However, it is the German-language version that you will most typically hear, at events such as at the UEFA Euro 2024 football tournament.
When was it composed?
The Swiss Psalm was composed in 1841, by Alberich Zwyssig, a Cistercian monk, and has been sung at patriotic and national events ever since.
However, it has not been the country’s official anthem for all of that time. Though often sung at these grand events, it was not officially accepted as the national anthem by Switzerland’s governing Federal Council, who wanted to allow the nation to choose their own anthem. The Swiss Psalm finally gained acceptance as the Swiss national anthem on 1 April 1981.
By the way, we also have the lyrics to the national anthems of Switzerland’s Group A rivals at the UEFA Euro 2024 football tournament. Here are the lyrics to the German national anthem, to the Hungarian national anthem, and to the national anthem of Scotland.
Swiss national anthem: lyrics in German
Trittst im Morgenrot daher,
Seh’ ich dich im Strahlenmeer,
Dich, du Hocherhabener, Herrlicher!
Wenn der Alpenfirn sich rötet,
Betet, freie Schweizer, betet,
Eure fromme Seele ahnt…
Eure fromme Seele ahnt…
Gott im hehren Vaterland!
Gott, den Herrn im hehren Vaterland!
Swiss national anthem: English translation
When the morning skies grow red
And over us their radiance shed
Thou, O Lord, appeareth in their light!
When the alps glow bright with splendor,
Pray to God, to Him surrender!
For you feel and understand
That God dwelleth in this land.
That God, the Lord, dwelleth in this land.