Andersen's view of Denmark

In Denmark I was born, my home’s no other,

here lie my roots, my world spreads out from here.

You Danish tongue, your voice is of a mother,

and you’re my heart so wonderfully near.

You bracing Danish strand,

where ancient barrows slumber

midst hops and apple orchards without number,

you are my love! – Denmark, my native land!

Where else does summer strew as rich a cover

of meadow-flowers, down to the open strand?

Where is the full moon over fields of clover

as bright as in the beech’s native land?

You bracing Danish strand,

where Dannebrog flies surely, –

God’s gift to us, – God give us might and glory! –

You are my love! – Denmark, my native land!

You land where I was born, my home – no other,

where my roots lie: my world spreads out from here.

Your language is the soft voice of a mother

that to my heart is music sweet and dear.

You bracing Danish strand,

where wild swans do their nesting,

you verdant isles, the home where my heart’s resting,

you are my love! – Denmark, my native land!

Hans Christian Andersen