Denmark is one of only two countries in the world—the otherbeing New Zealand—with two officialnational anthems of equal status. Officially,Kong Christian stod ved højen mast is both a national and aroyal anthem; it has equal status withDer er et yndigt land, which is treated as the civil national anthem.[1] At sports events and other civil events,Der er et yndigt land is the one played.
"Der er et yndigt land" (translated into English as "There is a lovely country") is one of the anthems of Denmark. When first published, the national anthem had 12 verses, but this was shortened to the first, third, fifth, and last verse in later editions. In common use, only the first verse (orstanza) and the last three lines of the fourth verse are sung. The first half of the last verse is rarely heard and the last line of each verse is repeated once. It is usually solely played as a national anthem for public occasions.
Kong Christian stod ved højen mast (Danish pronunciation:[kʰʌŋˈkʰʁestjænˈstoˀðve̝ˈhʌjˀn̩mæst,-ˈkʰʁæs-]; "King Christian stood by the lofty mast"), commonly shortened toKong Christian, is theroyal anthem of theKingdom of Denmark. It also has equal status of national anthem together withDer er et yndigt land,[2] though it is almost exclusively used in relation to theDanish royal house and themilitary. On royal and military occasions,Kong Christian is usually performed alone, but there are times where the two national anthems are played together.[2] The theme of the song is about the heroics of Danish sailors during thewars against Sweden (including theTorstenson War) in the 17th and 18th centuries.
On New Year's Eve it is tradition to sing along as theDanmarks Radio Girl's Choir sing the song on television, immediately after midnight following the other national anthem. Usually only the first verse is sung on official occasions. Adopted in 1780, it is one of the oldest national anthems in the world.[3]
Tú alfagra land mítt (Danish:Du mit skønneste land, "Thou fairest land of mine"), officially entitledMítt alfagra land, is thenational anthem of theFaroe Islands. The anthem's lyrics, composed in 1906, are bySímun av Skarði (1872-1942) and the melody byPetur Alberg (1885-1940).
There are also two national anthems for Danish autonomous territory Greenland, "Nunarput, utoqqarsuanngoravit" and "Nuna asiilasooq".
"Nunarput, utoqqarsuanngoravit" (Danish:Vort ældgamle land under isblinkens bavn,You Our Ancient Land) is theregional anthem ofGreenland, an autonomous territory of theKingdom of Denmark. With lyrics byHenning Jakob Henrik Lund and music composed byJonathan Petersen, the anthem was officially adopted in 1916.
"Nuna asiilasooq" ("The Land of Great Length",Danish:Landet af Stor Længde) is aGreenlandic song used as anethnic anthem by the self-governingKalaallit of Greenland. It was officially recognised by the government in 1979. Both lyrics and melody were composed byJonathan Petersen, who wrote the musical score for Greenland's 1916-adopted regional anthem, "Nunarput utoqqarsuanngoravit."[4]
