Written in 1949, the East German national anthem reflects the early stages of German separation, in which continuing progress towards reunification of the occupation zones was seen by most Germans as appropriate and natural. Consequently, Becher's lyrics develop several connotations of "unity" and combine them with "fatherland", meaning Germany as a whole. However, this concept soon would not conform to an increasingly icy Cold War context, especially after the Berlin Wall had been erected in 1961 by the East German government. In 1973, East and West Germany were admitted to the United Nations simultaneously, following talks between the two governments that conferred a degree of mutual recognition. The term Germany was later removed from the East German constitution, and only the national anthem's tune was played on official occasions. No new lyrics were ever written to replace Becher's which continued to be used unofficially, especially after die Wende in late 1989: once it became clear that the countries were actually moving towards reunification, East German televisionDeutscher Fernsehfunk reinstated the work and signed off every night with a joyous symphonic rendition of the vocal arrangement, accompanying picturesque footage of East Germany's main tourist attractions. "Auferstanden aus Ruinen" ceased to be a national anthem when the German Democratic Republic dissolved and its states joined the Federal Republic of Germany in the German reunification in 1990. "Deutschlandlied", composed in 1841, became the national anthem of a united Germany again. East German Prime MinisterLothar de Maizière had proposed that Becher's lyrics be added to the united German national anthem, but this was rejected by his West German counterpart, chancellorHelmut Kohl. At the end of its last broadcast on 2 October 1990, the East Germaninternational radio broadcasterRadio Berlin International signed off with a vocal version of the East German national anthem.
Lyrics
German original Auferstanden aus Ruinen Und der Zukunft zugewandt, Lass uns dir zum Guten dienen, Deutschland, einig Vaterland. Alte Not gilt es zu zwingen, Und wir zwingen sie vereint, Denn es muss uns doch gelingen, Dass die Sonne schön wie nie Glück und Friede sei beschieden Deutschland, unserm Vaterland. Alle Welt sehnt sich nach Frieden, Reicht den Völkern eure Hand. Wenn wir brüderlich uns einen, Schlagen wir des Volkes Feind. Lasst das Licht des Friedens scheinen, Dass nie eine Mutter mehr Lasst uns pflügen, lasst uns bauen, Lernt und schafft wie nie zuvor, Und der eignen Kraft vertrauend, Steigt ein frei Geschlecht empor. Deutsche Jugend, bestes Streben Unsres Volks in dir vereint, Wirst du Deutschlands neues Leben, Und die Sonne schön wie nie Literal translation Risen from ruins And facing the future, Let us serve you for the good, Germany, united fatherland. Old woes are to be overcome And we overcome them united. Because we so must succeed, that the sun beautiful as never Happiness and peace be granted To Germany, our fatherland. All the world longs for peace, Reach your hand out to the peoples. If brotherly we unite ourselves, We shall defeat the people's enemy. Let the light of peace shine So that a mother never more Let us plough, let us build, Learn and create like never before, And, confident in existing strength, A free generation rises up. German youth, best efforts Of our people united in you, You will become Germany's new life. And the sun beautiful as never, Poetic translation From the ruins risen newly, To the future turned, we stand. Let us serve your good truly, Germany, our fatherland. Triumph over bygone sorrow, Can in unity be won. For we shall attain a morrow, When over our Germany, May both peace and joy inspire, Germany, our fatherland. Peace is all the world's desire, To the peoples lend your hand. In fraternity united, We shall crush the people's foe. Let all paths by peace be lighted, That no mother shall again Let us plough and build our nation, Learn and work as never yet, That a free new generation, Faith in its own strength beget! German youth, for whom the striving Of our people is at one, You are Germany's reviving, And over our Germany,
