Last Saturday, July 21st, Belgians of all stripers celebrated their Fête nationale (national holiday)

An occasion for us to salute Belgium here on the Transparent French Blog! 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!

* * *

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

* * *

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):

O 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!