Wanke nicht, mein Vaterland
Following the death of Adolphus VIII, childless duke of Schleswig and count of Holstein, in 1459 the nobility was keen to preserve the unity of both countries under the rule of one monarch.
It furthermore assured that „dat se bliven ewich tosamende ungedelt“ ("that they [Schleswig and Holstein] remain united forever").
[1] After the wars of liberation against Napoleonic hegemony had caused national bankruptcy for Denmark in 1813, the population of Schleswig and Holstein were taxed stronger than the Danish populace by a currency reform.
[3] In the context of the German national movement of the 19th century, Sängerfeste (Festivals of Singers) with a political background took place throughout Germany (for example the Hambacher Fest).
Following this tradition, Schleswig had its Sängerfest in 1844 where Matthäus Friedrich Chemnitz presented his song Wanke nicht, mein Vaterland, a rewritten version of a poem by Karl Friedrich Straß, in which he uttered his wish for a united, independent and German Schleswig-Holstein, which is the reason why he famously replaced the comma of Straß's version with a hyphen, thus stressing the union between both countries.
The political tensions culminated in the First Schleswig War of 1848 that ended three years later with the victory of Denmark without resolving the underlying problems.
[5] In 1855, the Danish government designed a bilingual constitution that was rejected by the assembly of estates of Holstein and declared invalid by the Bundestag in Frankfurt three years later.
As Denmark refused to abolish this constitution in 1864, the Second Schleswig War broke out, this time ending with German victory.
[6] Schleswig-Holstein, meerumschlungen, Deutscher Sitte hohe Wacht, Wahre treu, was schwer errungen, Bis ein schönrer Morgen tagt!
Teures Land, du Doppeleiche, Unter einer Krone Dach, Stehe fest und nimmer weiche, Wie der Feind auch dräuen mag!
Schleswig-Holstein, embraced by the sea, Guard of German custom, Stay faithful to what thou hast attained Until a more beautiful morrow comes.
But when inner tempests rage And the threatening North arises, God may protect the comely blossoms That a milder South enlivens!
From the wave that rears up Along the Belt on the Baltic Sea coast, To the high tide that restlessly foams By the shifting sand of the dunes.
And where, at the country's borderland, The river Kongeå sparkles contemplatively, And where rustling and proud skiffs Move up the Elbe to Holstein.
Dear country, double oak, Under the roof of one crown, Stand firm and never yield, No matter how fiercely the foe may threaten thee!
Schleswig, Holstein, schöne Lande, Wo mein Fuß die Welt betrat, O, dass stets an eurem Strande Keime wahren Glückes Saat!
Schleswig, Holstein, beautiful lands, Where my foot entered the world, O, may on your beaches forever Germinate the seed of true joy!
God is strong, even in weak people, If they piously believe in Him, And a well-steered dinghy Can reach the haven in spite of tempests.
