"Dem Vaterland" is a patriotic anthem written by Robert Reinick and set to music by Hugo Wolf.
Wolf, who unsuccessfully attempted to dedicate Dem Vaterland to Emperor William II, originally wrote it as a song for tenor and piano in 1890, but later arranged it for male voices and orchestra.
His personal love for the song is attested by the following letter he wrote to Melanie Köchert: I was tremendously happy yesterday.
A bright and lofty word, That echoes through our hearts Like rustling woods and ringing bells, Blaring trumpets and lark song, That flashes like lightning in our breasts, Changing joy into sacred flame!
That gave its daughters The silent hearth of chaste love, That gave its sons as sanctuary Free deeds and loyal words, That they might always strive to hold aloft The fatherland’s shining shield of honour, Fatherland!
O bright and lofty word, Sound forth for evermore Like rustling woods and ringing bells, Blaring trumpets and lark song!
Dedicate all joy to this sacred flame, As long as German hearts beat For the fatherland!