Unsere Heimat

Unsere Heimat was a popular song in the German Democratic Republic, where it was sung by the Ernst Thälmann Pioneer Organisation. The lyrics were written by Herbert Keller and the melody by Hans Naumilkat. It is a song that expresses the concept of Heimat, and justifies its relevance within communism and opposition to the National Socialism as expressed by the Free German Youth (FDJ). In addition, the song demonstrates strong bonds with nature, expressing the significance of Heimat beyond people.

The song plays an important role in the 2003 film Good Bye, Lenin!, being sung several times by Young Pioneer groups.

Lyrics

German lyrics

Unsere Heimat, das sind nicht nur die Städte und Dörfer,
unsere Heimat sind auch all die Bäume im Wald.
Unsere Heimat ist das Gras auf der Wiese,
das Korn auf dem Feld und die Vögel in der Luft
und die Tiere der Erde
und die Fische im Fluß sind die Heimat.
Und wir lieben die Heimat, die schöne
und wir schützen sie,
weil sie dem Volke gehört,
weil sie unserem Volke gehört.

English translation

Our Homeland is not only the cities and villages;
Our Homeland is also all the trees in the forest,
Our Homeland is the grass in the meadow,
The grain in the field and the birds in the air;
The animals of the earth
and the fish in the river are the Homeland,
We love the beautiful homeland,
And we protect it
because it belongs to the People,
Because it belongs to our People.

References

Confino, Alon (2006). Germany as a Culture of Remembrance: Promises and Limits of Writing. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press. ISBN 0-8078-3042-9.

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