Following is a translation of the
National Anthem of
The
Netherlands, as published by the Netherlands Government Information
Service (Rijksvoorlichtingsdienst,
RVD). The translation maintains the
acrostic (
i.e. the first letters of each verse spell out
William of Nassau); a tribute to Prince
William I of Orange.
William of Nassau, scion
Of a Dutch and ancient line,
I dedicate undying
Faith to this land of mine.
A prince I am, undaunted,
Of Orange, ever free,
To the king of Spain I've granted
A lifelong loyalty.
I've ever tried to live in
The fear of God's command
And therefore I've been driven
From people, home, and land,
But God, I trust, will rate me
His willing instrument
And one day reinstate me
Into my government.
Let no despair betray you,
My subjects true and good.
The Lord will surely stay you
Though now you are pursued.
He who would live devoutly
Must pray God day and night
To throw His power about me
As champion of your right.
Life and my all for others
I sacrificed, for you!
And my illustrious brothers
Proved their devotion too.
Count Adolf, more's the pity,
Fell in the Frisian fray,
And in the eternal city
Awaits the judgement day.
I, nobly born, descended
From an imperial stock.
An empire's prince, defended
(Braving the battle's shock
Heroically and fearless
As a pious Christian ought)
With my life's blood the peerless
Gospel of God our Lord.
A shield and my reliance,
O God, Thou ever wert.
I'll trust unto Thy guidance.
O leave me not ungirt.
That I may stay a pious
Servant of Thine for aye
And drive the plagues that try us
And tyranny away.
My God, I pray thee, save me
From all who do pursue
And threaten to enslave me,
Thy trusted servant true.
O Father, do not sanction
Their wicked, foul design,
Don't let them wash their hands in
This guiltless blood of mine.
O David, thou soughtest shelter
From King Saul's tyranny.
Even so I fled this welter
And many a lord with me.
But God the Lord did save him
From exile and its hell
And, in His mercy, gave him
A realm in Israel.
Fear not 't will rain sans ceasing
The clouds are bound to part.
I bide that sight so pleasing
Unto my princely heart,
Which is that I with honour
Encounter death in war
And meet in heaven my Donor
His faithful warrior.
Nothing so moves my pity
As seeing through these lands
Field, village, town and city
Pillaged by roving hands.
O that the Spaniards rape thee
My Netherlands so sweet
The thought of that does grip me
Causing my heart to bleed.
Astride on steed of mettle
I've waited with my host
The tyrant's call to battle
Who durst not do his boast
For, near Maastricht ensconced,
He feared the force I wield
My horsemen saw one bounce it
Bravely across the field.
Surely if God had willed it,
When that fierce tempest blew,
My power would have stilled it
Or turned its blast from you.
But He who dwells in heaven,
Whence all our blessings flow,
For which aye praise be given,
Did not desire it so.
Steadfast my heart remaineth
In my adversity
My princely courage straineth
All nerves to live and be.
I've prayed the Lord my Master
With fervid heart and tense
To save me from disaster
And prove my innocence.
Alas! my flock. To sever
Is hard on us. Farewell.
Your Shepherd wakes, wherever
Dispersed you may dwell.
Pray God that He may ease you.
His gospel be your cure.
Walk in the steps of Jesu
This life will not endure.
Unto the lord His power
I do confession make
That ne'er at any hour
Ill of the king I spake.
But unto God, the greatest
Of Majesties I owe
Obedience first and latest
For Justice wills it so.