Swiss Psalm

"Swiss Psalm" (German: Schweizerpsalm, German pronunciation: [ʃvaɪtsərˈpsalm]; French: Cantique suisse, French pronunciation: ​[kɑ̃tik sɥis], literally "Swiss Song"; Italian: Salmo svizzero, Italian pronunciation: [ˈsalmo ˈzvittsero]; Romansh: Psalm Svizzer, Romansh pronunciation: [ˈ(p)salm ˈʒviːtser]) is the national anthem of Switzerland.

Schweizerpsalm

English: Swiss Psalm
Notes of the anthem
National anthem of Switzerland
Lyrics	Leonhard Widmer, Charles Chatelanat, Camillo Valsangiacomo, Flurin Camathias, 1841
Music	Alberich Zwyssig
Adopted	1961
Audio sample
Swiss Psalm, performed by the U.S. Navy Band file help

Lyrics

The original lyrics were in German, but because Switzerland has four official languages, there are also lyrics in the three other official languages; French, Italian and Romansh. The anthem also has English translations.

German lyrics

German original	IPA transcription	English translation
Trittst im Morgenrot daher, Seh' ich dich im Strahlenmeer, Dich, du Hocherhabener, Herrlicher! Wenn der Alpenfirn sich rötet, Betet, freie Schweizer, betet, Eure fromme Seele ahnt, Eure fromme Seele ahnt, Gott im hehren Vaterland! Gott, den Herrn im hehren Vaterland!	[tʁɪt͡st ɪm ˈmɔʁɡŋ̩ˌʁoːt ˈdaːheːɐ̯] [zeː ɪx dɪç ɪm ˈʃtʁaːlən meːɐ̯] [dɪç, duː ˈhoːxʔɛɐ̯ˈhaːbn̩ɐ ˈhɛʁlɪçɐ] [vɛn deːɐ̯ ˈalpn̩fɪʁn sɪç ˈʁøːtət] [ˈbeːtət ˈfʁaɪ̯ə ˈʃvaɪ̯t͡sɐ ˈbeːtət] [ˈɔɪ̯ʁə ˈfʁɔmə ˈzeːlə aːnt] [ˈɔɪ̯ʁə ˈfʁɔmə ˈzeːlə aːnt] [ɡɔt ɪm ˈheːʁən ˈfaːtɐˌlant] [ɡɔt deːn hɛʁn ɪm ˈheːʁən ˈfaːtɐˌlant]	When the morning skies grow red And o'er their radiance shed, Thou, o Lord, appeareth in their light! When the Alps glow bright with splendour, Pray to God to Him surrender. For you feel and understand, For you feel and understand, That he dwelleth in this land! That he dwelleth in this Motherland!
Kommst im Abendglühn daher, Find' ich dich im Sternenheer, Dich, du Menschenfreundlicher, Liebender! In des Himmels lichten Räumen Kann ich froh und selig träumen; Denn die fromme Seele ahnt Denn die fromme Seele ahnt Gott im hehren Vaterland! Gott, den Herrn, im hehren Vaterland!	[kɔmst ɪm ˈaːbn̩tˈɡlyːn daˈheːɐ̯] [fɪnt ɪç dɪç ɪm ˈʃtɛʁnənheːɐ̯] [dɪç duː ˈmɛnʃn̩ˌfʁɔɪ̯ntlɪçheːɐ̯ ˈliːbn̩dɐ] [ɪn dɛs ˈhɪml̩s ˈlɪçtn̩ ˈʁɔɪ̯mən] [kan ɪç fʁoː ʊnt ˈzeːlɪç ˈtʁɔɪ̯mən] [dɛn diː ˈfʁɔmə ˈzeːlə aːnt] [dɛn diː ˈfʁɔmə ˈzeːlə aːnt] [ɡɔt ɪm ˈheːʁən ˈfaːtɐˌlant] [ɡɔt deːn hɛʁn ɪm ˈheːʁən ˈfaːtɐˌlant]	In the sunset Thou art nigh And beyond the starry sky, Thou, o loving Father, ever near When to Heaven we are departing, Joy and bliss Thou'lt be imparting, For we feel and understand, For we feel and understand, That Thou dwellest in this land! That Thou dwellest in this land!
Ziehst im Nebelflor daher, Such' ich dich im Wolkenmeer, Dich, du Unergründlicher, Ewiger! Aus dem grauen Luftgebilde Bricht die Sonne klar und milde, Und die fromme Seele ahnt, Und die fromme Seele ahnt, Gott im hehren Vaterland! Gott, den Herrn, im hehren Vaterland!	[t͡siːst ɪm ˈneːbl̩floːɐ̯ daˈheːɐ̯] [zuːx ɪç dɪç ɪm ˈvɔlkn̩ˈmeːɐ̯] [dɪç duː ʊnʔɛɐ̯ˈɡʁʏntlɪçɐ ˈeːvɪɡɐ] [aʊ̯s deːm ˈɡʁaʊ̯ən ˈlʊftɡəˌbɪldə] [bʁɪçt diː ˈzɔnə klaːɐ̯ ʊnt ˈmɪldə] [ʊnt diː ˈfʁɔmə ˈzeːlə aːnt] [ʊnt diː ˈfʁɔmə ˈzeːlə aːnt] [ɡɔt ɪm ˈheːʁən ˈfaːtɐˌlant] [ɡɔt deːn hɛʁn ɪm ˈheːʁən ˈfaːtɐˌlant]	When dark clouds enshroud the hills And grey mist the valley fills, Yet Thou art not hidden from Thy sons. Pierce the gloom in which we cower With Thy sunshine's cleansing power Then we'll feel and understand, Then we'll feel and understand, That God dwelleth in this land! That God dwelleth in this land!
Fährst im wilden Sturm daher, Bist du selbst uns Hort und Wehr, Du, allmächtig Waltender, Rettender! In Gewitternacht und Grauen Laßt uns kindlich ihm vertrauen! Ja, die fromme Seele ahnt, Ja, die fromme Seele ahnt, Gott im hehren Vaterland! Gott, den Herrn, im hehren Vaterland!	[fɛːɐ̯st ɪm ˈvɪldn̩ ʃtʊʁm daˈheːɐ̯] [bɪst duː zɛlpst ʊns hɔʁt ʊnt veːɐ̯] [duː alˈmɛçtɪç ˈvaltn̩dɐ ˈʁɛtn̩dɐ] [ɪn ɡəˈvɪtɐˌnaxt ʊnt ˈɡʁaʊ̯ən] [last ʊns ˈkɪntlɪç iːm fɛɐ̯ˈtʁaʊ̯ən] [jaː diː ˈfʁɔmə ˈzeːlə aːnt] [jaː diː ˈfʁɔmə ˈzeːlə aːnt] [ɡɔt ɪm ˈheːʁən ˈfaːtɐˌlant] [ɡɔt deːn hɛʁn ɪm ˈheːʁən ˈfaːtɐˌlant]	Towards us in the wild storm coming, You yourself give us resistance and stronghold, You, almighty ruling, rescuing! During horror and nights of thunderstorms Let us childlike trust Him! Yes, we feel and understand, Yes, we feel and understand, That God dwelleth in this land! That God dwelleth in this land!

Swiss German translation

Below is a Swiss German translation of the Standard German lyrics above.

Swiss German translation
Trittsch im Morgerot drhär Gsehn ich dich im Straalemeer Dich, du Hocherhabene, Herrliche! Wenn dr Alpefirn sich rötet, Bättet, freii Schwiizer, bättet! Euri frommi Seel ahnt, Euri frommi Seel ahnt, Gott im heere Vaterland! Gott, dr Herr, im heere Vaterland!
Kunnsch im Obeglieh drhär, Find ich dich im Stärneheer, Dich, du Menschefründliche, Liebende! Im Himmel de lichte Rüüm Kann ich froo und selig träume! Denn die frommi Seel ahnt, Denn die frommi Seel ahnt, Gott im heere Vaterland! Gott, dr Herr, im heere Vaterland!
Ziesch im Näbelfloor drhär, Suech ich dich im Wolkemeer, Dich, du Unergründliche, Ewige! Us em graue Luftgebilde Tritt d Sonne klar und mild, Und die frommi Seel ahnt, Und die frommi Seel ahnt, Gott im heere Vaterland! Gott, dr Herr, im heere Vaterland!
Faarsch im wilde Sturm drhär, Bisch du sälbscht uns Hort und Wehr, Du, allmächtig Waltende, Rettende! In Gwitternacht und Graue Löönd uns kindlich ihm vertraue! Jo, die frommi Seel ahnt, Jo die frommi Seel ahnt, Gott im heere Vaterland! Gott, dr Herr, im heere Vaterland!

French lyrics

French original	IPA transcription	English translation
Sur nos monts, quand le soleil Annonce un brillant réveil, Et prédit d'un plus beau jour le retour, Les beautés de la patrie Parlent à l'âme attendrie; Au ciel montent plus joyeux, Au ciel montent plus joyeux, Les accents d'un cœur pieux, Les accents émus d'un cœur pieux.	[syʁ no mɔ̃ kɑ̃ lə sɔ.lɛj] [a.nɔ̃s ɛ̃ bʁi.jɑ̃ ʁe.vɛj] [ˈet pʁe.dit d‿ɛ̃ ply bo ʒwe lə ʁə.tuʁ] [lɛ bo.te də la pa.tʁi] [paʁl a l‿am a.tɑ̃.dʁi] [o sjɛl mɔ̃.tent ply ʒwa.jø] [o sjɛl mɔ̃.tent ply ʒwa.jø] [lɛ ak.sɑ̃ d‿ɛ̃ kœʁ pjø] [lɛ ak.sɑ̃ e.my d‿ɛ̃ kœʁ pjø]	Upon our mounts, when the sun Announces a brilliant awakening And predicts the return of a beautiful day The beauties of the fatherland, Speaks to the tender soul To heaven it joyfully rises, To heaven it joyfully rises, The sentiments of a pious heart, The touching sentiments of a pious heart.
Lorsqu'un doux rayon du soir Joue encore dans le bois noir, Le cœur se sent plus heureux près de Dieu Loin des vain bruits de la plaine L'âme en paix est plus sereine; Au ciel montent plus joyeux, Au ciel montent plus joyeux, Les accents d'un cœur pieux, Les accents émus d'un cœur pieux.	[lɔʁ.sk‿œ̃ du ʁɛ.jɔ̃ dy swaʁ] [ʒu ɑ̃.kɔʁ dɑ̃ lə bwa nwaʁ] [lə kœʁ sə sɑ̃ ply œ.ʁø pʁɛ də djø] [lwɛ̃ de vɛ̃ bʁɥi d(ə) la plɛn] [l‿am ɑ̃ pɛ ɛ ply s(ə).ʁɛn] [o sjɛl mɔ̃.tɑ̃ ply ʒwa.jø] [o sjɛl mɔ̃.tɑ̃ ply ʒwa.jø] [le ak.sɑ̃ d‿œ̃ kœʁ pjø] [le ak.sɑ̃ e.my d‿œ̃ kœʁ pjø]	When a gentle evening ray Plays once more in the darkened woods The heart feels happier near God, Far from the vain noises of the plain the heart at peace is more serene To heaven it joyfully rises To heaven it joyfully rises The sentiments of a pious heart The touching sentiments of a pious heart.
Lorsque dans la sombre nuit La foudre éclate avec bruit, Notre cœur pressent encore le Dieu fort. Dans l'orage et la détresse, Il est notre forteresse. Offrons-lui de cœurs pieux Offrons-lui de cœurs pieux Dieu nous bénira des cieux, Dieu nous bénira du haut des cieux.	[lɔʁ.sk(ə) dɑ̃ la sɔ̃.bʁə nɥi] [la fudʁ e.klat a.vɛk bʁɥi] [nɔ.tʁə kœʁ pʁɛ.sɑ̃ ɑ̃.kɔʁ lə djø fɔʁ] [dɑ̃ l‿ɔ.ʁaʒ e la de.tʁɛs] [il ɛ nɔ.tʁə fɔʁ.tə.ʁɛs] [ɔ.fʁɔ̃.lɥi d(ə) kœʁ pjø] [ɔ.fʁɔ̃.lɥi d(ə) kœʁ pjø] [djø nu be.ni.ʁa de sjø] [djø nu be.ni.ʁa dy o de sjø]	When in the sombre night The thunder bursts with loudness Our heart approaches once more the great Lord; In the storm and in the distress It is our fortress Offer Him our pious hearts, Offer Him our pious hearts, God, bless us from the heavens, God, bless us from the highest heavens.
Des grand monts vient le secours, Suisse, espère en Dieu toujours! Garde la foi des aïeux, vis comme eux! Sur l'autel de la patrie Met tes biens, ton cœur, ta vie! C'est le trésor précieux C'est le trésor précieux Que Dieu nous bénira des cieux, Que Dieu nous bénira du haut des cieux!	[de ɡʁɑ̃ mɔ̃ vjɑ̃ lə s(ə).kuʁ] [sɥis ɛs.pɛʁ ɑ̃ djø tu.ʒuʁ] [ɡaʁ.d(ə) la fwa de a.jø vi kɔm ø] [syʁ l‿o.tɛl də la pa.tʁi] [mɛ te bjɛ̃ tɔ̃ kœʁ ta vi] [s‿ɛ lə tʁe.zɔʁ pʁe.sjø] [s‿ɛ lə tʁe.zɔʁ pʁe.sjø] [kə djø nu be.ni.ʁa de sjø] [kə djø nu be.ni.ʁa dy o de sjø]	From the great mountains comes assistance Swiss, have hope in God always! Guard the faith of the forefathers, as they did! On the altar of the fatherland Place your wealth, your heart, your life! It is a precious treasure, It is a precious treasure, That God will bless from the heavens, That God will bless from the highest heavens!

Italian lyrics

Italian original	IPA transcription	English translation
Quando bionda aurora il mattin c'indora l'alma mia t'adora re del ciel! Quando l'alpe già rosseggia a pregare allor t'atteggia; in favor del patrio suol, in favor del patrio suol, cittadino Dio lo vuol, cittadino Dio, si Dio lo vuol.	[ˈkwan.do ˈbjon.d(a)‿au̯ˈrɔːra] [il matˈtin t͡ʃinˈdɔːra] [ˈlal.ma ˈmiːa taˈdɔːra ˈrɛ del ˈt͡ʃel] [ˈkwan.do ˈlal.pe ˈd͡ʒa rosˈsed.d͡ʒa] [a preˈɡaːre alˈlor tatˈted.d͡ʒa] [iɱ faˈvor del ˈpaːtrjo ˈswɔl] [iɱ faˈvor del ˈpaːtrjo ˈswɔl] [t͡ʃit.taˈdiːno ˈdiːo lo ˈvwɔl] [t͡ʃit.taˈdiːno ˈdiːo si ˈdiːo lo ˈvwɔl]
Se di stelle è un giubilo la celeste sfera Te ritrovo a sera o Signor! Nella notte silenziosa l'alma mia in Te riposa: libertà, concordia, amor, libertà, concordia, amor, all'Elvezia serba ognor, all'Elvezia serba ognor.
Se di nubi un velo m'asconde il tuo cielo pel tuo raggio anelo Dio d'amore! Fuga o sole quei vapori e mi rendi i tuoi favori: di mia patria deh! Pietà di mia patria deh! Pietà brilla, o sol di verità, brilla sol, o sol di verità!
Quando rugge e strepita impetuoso il nembo m'è ostel tuo grembo o Signor! In te fido Onnipossente deh, proteggi nostra gente; Libertà, concordia, amor, Libertà, concordia, amor, all'Elvezia serba ognor all'Elvezia serba ognor!

Romansh lyrics

Romansh original	IPA transcription	English translation
En l'aurora la damaun ta salida il carstgaun, spiert etern dominatur, Tutpussent! Cur ch'ils munts straglischan sura, ura liber Svizzer, ura. Mia olma senta ferm, Mia olma senta ferm, Dieu en tschiel, il bab etern. Dieu en tschiel, en tschiel il bab etern.
Er la saira en splendur da las stailas en l'azur tai chattain nus, creatur, Tutpussent! Cur ch'il firmament sclerescha en noss cors fidanza crescha. Mia olma senta ferm, Mia olma senta ferm, Dieu en tschiel, il bab etern. Dieu en tschiel, il bab etern.
Er la saira en splendur da las stailas en l'azur tai chattain nus, creatur, Tutpussent! Cur ch'il firmament sclerescha en noss cors fidanza crescha. Mia olma senta ferm, Mia olma senta ferm, Dieu en tschiel, il bab etern. Dieu en tschiel, il bab etern.
Cur la furia da l'orcan fa tremblar il cor uman alur das ti a nus vigur, Tutpussent! Ed en temporal sgarschaivel stas ti franc a nus fidaivel. Mia olma senta ferm, Mia olma senta ferm, Dieu en tschiel, Il bab etern. Dieu en tschiel, il bab etern!

English lyrics

English translation

I When the morning skies grow red And over us their radiance shed Thou, O Lord, appeareth in their light! When the alps glow bright with splendor, Pray, Free Swiss, pray! For you feel and understand That God dwelleth in this land! That God, the Lord, dwelleth in this land! II In the sunset Thou art night And beyond the starry sky Thou, O loving father, ever near! When to Heaven we are departing Joy and bliss Thou'lt be imparting! For we feel and understand That God dwelleth in this land! That God, the Lord, dwelleth in this land! III When dark clouds enshroud the hills And gray mist the valley fills Yet Thou art not hidden from thy sons! Pierce the gloom in which we cower With Thy sunshine's cleansing power Then we'll feel and understand That God dwelleth in this land! That God, the Lord, dwelleth in this land! IV Towards us in the wild storm coming, You yourself give us resistance and stronghold, You, almighty ruling, rescuing! During horror and nights of thunderstorms Let us childlike trust Him! Yes, we feel and understand, That God dwelleth in this land! That God, the Lord, dwelleth in this land!

Related pages

• Rufst du, mein Vaterland?, the previous national anthem of Switzerland