Hans Christian Andersen: 'Danmark, dejligst vang og vænge'

Danmark, dejligst vang og vænge

 

Danmark, dejligst vang og vænge,

lukt med bølgen blå,

hvor de voksne, danske drenge

kan i leding gå

mod de sakser, slaver, vender,

hvor man dem på tog hensender;

én ting mangler ved den have:

leddet er af lave.

 

Ved Guds nådig forsyn hegnes

dog det meste land,

og hvad under Danmark regnes,

nyder værn af vand.

Ingen nabo, som vil vinde,

tør på Danmark gå i blinde,

blev kun ledet hængt til rette,

skulle vel det tætte.

 

Mejlfarsund os Fyn beskytter,

tryg står Møens klint;

ind til Gedser ingen rytter

ride skal for svindt;

Guldborgsund for Lolland genner,

Øresund vort Sjælland tjener,

hvert land har sit eget lukke,

alt må Jylland sukke.

 

Holster, vagrer, lyneborger

som en farlig flod

gør os Jylland mange sorger,

tørster efter blod;

lægges af må slig uvane,

skam det var at lade rane

fra vor mark den mindste tue;

pil vi har og bue.

 

Sådan talte dronning Tyre,

ret kaldt Danebod:

I, som står for Danmarks styre,

fatter frejdigt mod!

Gabet kan vi vel tillukke,

så vi ej os lader plukke

af hver fremmed løbeskytte,

der får lyst til bytte.

 

Fra moradset vest ved strande

til Mysund ved Sli

vi vil os en vold bemande,

gøre snæver sti.

Om forlov skal hver mand bede,

hvis han agter ind at træde,

nødig skal han atter fare

hjem med stjålen vare!

 

Danemark vi nu kan ligne

ved en frugtbar vang,

hegnet trindt omkring, - Gud signe

den i nød og trang!

Gid som korn opvokse knægte,

der kan frisk mod fjenden fægte

og om Danebod end tale,

når hun er i dvale.

For all the historical information, go to here.

 

 

Denmark where fair meadows slumber

 

Denmark, where fair meadows slumber

Close to lapping waves,

From where young Danes in great number

Can set out on raids

’Gainst the Wends and Slavs and Saxons

And defeat them by such actions;

One thing, though, this garden lacks

Dykes against attacks.

 

By God’s mercy much of Denmark

Is fenced in today,

And attacks from outside Denmark

Water holds at bay.

No one who’s a next-door neighbour

Dares to risk disastrous labour;

If defences are in order,

They ensure the border.

 

Mejlfarsund protects Fyn’s borders,

Safe are Møen’s cliffs;

Into Gedser would no horseman

made his ride too swift;

Guldborgsund can safeguard Lolland;

Øresund shields all of Zealand.

Each land has its own protection,

Jutland’s the exception.

 

Peoples south of Jutland’s border,

Like some fearsome flood,

Profit much from its disorder,

Since they thirst for blood;

Such bad habits must be halted,

Shame if stolen when assaulted

One grass tuft from any barrow –

We have bow and arrow.

 

These words did Queen Thyra utter,

Rightly known as Denmark’s pride:

You who Denmark seek to govern,

Seize the chance your folk to guide!

We can seal the gaps now yawning,

not be picked off without warning

By some mercenary soldier 

Gross neglect made bolder.

 

From the west-coast’s widespread marshes

To Mysund near Sli

Build manned ramparts for armed forces,

Guard paths all can see.

Entry only with permission

One must have a valid mission,

No one’s pocket shall be swollen

By goods that are stolen!

 

Denmark then we can consider

As a fertile lea,

Neatly fenced in, – God deliver

It in times of need!

May like corn young lads start growing

Who’ll our foes be overthrowing

and of Denmark’s pride be speaking

while she still is sleeping.