“La Brabançonne”: The National Anthem of Belgium (in French)

Posted on 10. May, 2011 by in Geography, News, People, Vocabulary


A few years ago, Yves Leterme, ex-Prime Minister of La Belgique (Belgium)
was asked by a journalist, "à l'improviste" (unexpectedly), if he knew
the lyrics of l'hymne national (national hymn) 
of his country. The answer of Leterme?  
He started singing la Marseillaise
the French national anthem!

* * *

YouTube Preview Image

The video showing Leterme  "en flagrant délit"
 (or "red-handed", if you will)

* * *

YouTube Preview Image


Noble Belgique! Ô Mère chérie!
A toi nos coeurs, à toi nos bras
A toi notre sang, ô Patrie
Nous le jurons, tous, tu vivras
Tu vivras, toujours grande et belle
Et ton invincible unité
Aura pour devise immortelle
Le Roi, la Loi, la Liberté

Le Roi, la Loi, la Liberté
Le Roi, la Loi, la Liberté


* La version anglaise (The English version):

Belgium - O mother dear -
To you we stretch our hearts and arms,
With blood to spill for you, O fatherland!
We swear with one cry - You shall live!
You shall live, so great and beautiful,
And your invincible unity
Shall have for device immortal -
The King, and Law, and Liberty!
Shall have for device immortal -
The King, and Law, and Liberty!
The King, and Law, and Liberty!
The King, and Law, and Liberty!


Tags: , , , , ,

Leave a Reply