On this day 30th July, a perfect synergy for "numerous" reasons.

**Berthier** · 07-30-2013, 06:08

On this day, 30th July 1792, Chant de guerre pour l'Armée du Rhin was sung with such gusto by volunteer troops (fédérés) from Marseille entering Paris that it became known as La Marseillaise.

Written by Rouget de Lisle (1760-1836) a French officer in Strasbourg on 25th April (Anzac Day!) 1792 at the request of the mayor who wanted a marching song for the Revolutionary troops. De Lisle was a monarchist so probably was disillusioned to see his song become the national song of a Revolution that would overthrow the monarchy completely within a few short years. It was declared a national song on July 14th 1795 (Bastille Day). Replaced by Veillons au Salut de l'Empire under Napoleon it was finally restored as the nation's national anthem in 1879.

The words are bloody and reflect the times where France lay under threat of invasion from multiple nations determined to stamp out the Revolution and its' anti-monarchist philosophy.

The melody remains one of the most recognizable and moving even after two hundred years. The lyrics in English follow although there are various subtle differences in translations.

As my 1000th post it seems a fitting subject matter for me to celebrate. :g&t:

The final verse listed as the children's verse is especially poignant

We shall enter the (military) career

When our elders are no longer there,

There we shall find their dust

And the trace of their virtues (repeat)

Much less keen to survive them

Than to share their coffins,

We shall have the sublime pride

Of avenging or following them

French lyrics	English translation
La Marseillaise
Allons enfants de la Patrie,	Arise, children of the Fatherland,
Le jour de gloire est arrivé !	The day of glory has arrived!
Contre nous de la tyrannie,	Against us tyranny
L'étendard sanglant est levé, (bis)	Raises its bloody banner (repeat)
Entendez-vous dans les campagnes	Do you hear, in the countryside,
Mugir ces féroces soldats ?	The roar of those ferocious soldiers?
Ils viennent jusque dans vos bras	They're coming right into your arms
Égorger vos fils, vos compagnes !	To cut the throats of your sons and women!

Aux armes, citoyens,	To arms, citizens,
Formez vos bataillons,	Form your battalions,
Marchons, marchons !	Let's march, let's march!
Qu'un sang impur	Let an impure blood
Abreuve nos sillons !	Water our furrows! (repeat)

Que veut cette horde d'esclaves,	What does this horde of slaves,
De traîtres, de rois conjurés ?	Of traitors and conjured kings want?
Pour qui ces ignobles entraves,	For whom are these vile chains,
Ces fers dès longtemps préparés ? (bis)	These long-prepared irons? (repeat)
Français, pour nous, ah ! quel outrage	Frenchmen, for us, ah! What outrage
Quels transports il doit exciter !	What fury it must arouse!
C'est nous qu'on ose méditer	It is us they dare plan
De rendre à l'antique esclavage !	To return to the old slavery!

Aux armes, citoyens...	To arms, citizens...

Quoi ! des cohortes étrangères	What! Foreign cohorts
Feraient la loi dans nos foyers !	Would make the law in our homes!
Quoi ! Ces phalanges mercenaires	What! These mercenary phalanxes
Terrasseraient nos fiers guerriers ! (bis)	Would strike down our proud warriors! (repeat)
Grand Dieu ! Par des mains enchaînées	Great God ! By chained hands
Nos fronts sous le joug se ploieraient	Our brows would yield under the yoke
De vils despotes deviendraient	Vile despots would have themselves
Les maîtres de nos destinées !	The masters of our destinies!

Aux armes, citoyens...	To arms, citizens...

Tremblez, tyrans et vous perfides	Tremble, tyrants and you traitors
L'opprobre de tous les partis,	The shame of all parties,
Tremblez ! vos projets parricides	Tremble! Your parricidal schemes
Vont enfin recevoir leurs prix ! (bis)	Will finally receive their reward! (repeat)
Tout est soldat pour vous combattre,	Everyone is a soldier to combat you
S'ils tombent, nos jeunes héros,	If they fall, our young heroes,
La terre en produit de nouveaux,	The earth will produce new ones,
Contre vous tout prêts à se battre !	Ready to fight against you!

Aux armes, citoyens...	To arms, citizens...

Français, en guerriers magnanimes,	Frenchmen, as magnanimous warriors,
Portez ou retenez vos coups !	You bear or hold back your blows!
Épargnez ces tristes victimes,	You spare those sorry victims,
À regret s'armant contre nous. (bis)	Who arm against us with regret. (repeat)
Mais ces despotes sanguinaires,	But not these bloodthirsty despots,
Mais ces complices de Bouillé,	These accomplices of Bouillé,
Tous ces tigres qui, sans pitié,	All these tigers who, mercilessly,
Déchirent le sein de leur mère !	Rip their mother's breast!

Aux armes, citoyens...	To arms, citizens...

Amour sacré de la Patrie,	Sacred love of the Fatherland,
Conduis, soutiens nos bras vengeurs	Lead, support our avenging arms
Liberté, Liberté chérie,	Liberty, cherished Liberty,
Combats avec tes défenseurs ! (bis)	Fight with thy defenders! (repeat)
Sous nos drapeaux que la victoire	Under our flags, shall victory
Accoure à tes mâles accents,	Hurry to thy manly accents,
Que tes ennemis expirants	That thy expiring enemies,
Voient ton triomphe et notre gloire !	See thy triumph and our glory!

Aux armes, citoyens...	To arms, citizens...

(Couplet des enfants)	(Children's Verse)
Nous entrerons dans la carrière^[11]	We shall enter the (military) career
Quand nos aînés n'y seront plus,	When our elders are no longer there,
Nous y trouverons leur poussière	There we shall find their dust
Et la trace de leurs vertus (bis)	And the trace of their virtues (repeat)
Bien moins jaloux de leur survivre	Much less keen to survive them
Que de partager leur cercueil,	Than to share their coffins,
Nous aurons le sublime orgueil	We shall have the sublime pride
De les venger ou de les suivre	Of avenging or following them

Aux armes, citoyens...	To arms, citizens...