The melody, originally attributed to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, was matched with a text by Paula von Preradović the following year.

Nineteen days before his death on 5 December 1791, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart composed his last complete work, the Freimaurerkantate, K. 623.

In parts of the printed edition of this cantata there appeared the song K. 623a "Lasst uns mit geschlungnen Händen" ("Let us with joined hands").

In 2005, Women's Minister Maria Rauch-Kallat of the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) stated her objection to the words sons, fraternal and fatherland in the lyrics and proposed changes.

In January 2010, Austrian pop singer Christina Stürmer presented a pop rock version of the hymn "Heimat bist du großer Söhne und Töchter" ('Thou art home to great sons and daughters')[5][6] as part of a campaign by the Austrian federal ministry of education.

She was sued for violation of copyright by the estate of Paula von Preradović but subsequently cleared by the Austrian Supreme Court of Justice[7] who called it "a mere modernisation" and allowed the version to stand.

Heimat großer Töchter und Söhne,[b] Volk, begnadet für das Schöne, 𝄆 Vielgerühmtes Österreich!

Heiß umfehdet, wild umstritten, Liegst dem Erdteil du inmitten Einem starken Herzen gleich.

Bold if battered, ne'er torn nor tattered Stands thou strong midst Europe fettered For thee art pledges saith!

Since days long past, verily thou hast Trials of heated temper pas't 𝄆 Austria, of true faith.

[10] The same evening after von Preradović learned that her lyrics were chosen for the national anthem, her sons Otto and Fritz Molden [de] composed a satirical version of them.

The jury included Ernst Molden, grandson of Paula von Preradović, who gave the group the highest score.