In Denmark I was born, 'tis there my home is,
From there my roots, and there my world extend.
You Danish tongue, as soft as Mother's voice is,
With you my heartbeats O so sweetly blend.
You windswept Danish strand,
Where ancient chieftain's barrow
Strands close to apple orchard, hop and mallow,
'Tis you I love - Denmark, my native land!

O where does summer strew her bed all over
With lovelier flowers than here, by open strand?
Where shines the silver moon on field of clover
So bright as in the beech's native land?
You windswept Danish strand,
Where Dannebrog is waving,
You came - O flag - from God, our foes outbraving!
'Tis you I love - Denmark, my native land!

On day all Nordic lands were in your power
And England too - no longer your domains.
A tiny land, but in the world you tower -
There ring the song and chisel of the Danes.
You windswept Danish strand,
The ploughshare finds past treasure;
God bless your future too in golden measure!
'Tis you I love - Denmark, my native land!

You land where I was born, and where my home is,
From where my roots derive, my world extends,
Where language is as soft as Mother's voice is,
And with my heartbeats like sweet music blends.
You windswept Danish strand,
For swans to build their nest in,
Green island home on earth, for heart to rest in,
'Tis you I love - Denmark, my native land!


Andersen's song was written 1850 (see the manuscript), during the Danish-German war, and was published on March 5., in the newspaper Fædrelandet and performed at a concert conducted by the composer, Henrik Rung, on May 8. In today's Denmark Andersen's song is more or less regarded as an unofficial anthem.

"In Denmark I was born" in the index of works.

Translation: Paula Hostrup-Jessen on the CD: "In Denmark I was born", issued 1988 by OH Music ApS, P.O. Box 49, DK-2680 Solrød Strand
Published on this web site in agreement with the translator and the CD-publisher.

* Dannebrog
The Danish flag. Reputed to have fallen from the skies during the battle of Lyndanisse (near Tallinn) in Estonia in 1219, bringing victory to King Valdemar II of Denmark.

* Past treasure
Refers to two gold horns from pagan times discovered in 1639 and 1734 in a field near Gallehus in South Jutland.