The phrase “Deutschland über alles” was originally part of the lyrics of the “Deutschlandlied“, the German national anthem. It was written by August Heinrich Hoffmann von Fallersleben in 1841 and was included in the first stanza of the hymn.
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The phrase “Deutschland über alles” can be translated into Italian as “Germany above everything” or “Germany above all”. However, it is important to point out that the original meaning of the hymn, including this verse, was not associated with Nazism or Nazi ideology.
During the time of the Third Reich, Adolf Hitler’s Nazi regime distorted the original meaning of the anthem for purposes propaganda, using the phrase “Deutschland über alles” to promote German supremacy in a nationalist and extremist way. Consequently, due to this historical association, the phrase was largely avoided after the fall of the Nazi regime in 1945.
After the Second World War, Germany adopted a new national anthem, the “Deutsche Nationalhymne” (The German National Anthem), commonly known as the “Lied der Deutschen” (The German Anthem), which is based on the third verse of the “Deutschlandlied” without including the phrase “Deutschland über alles”. The new anthem emphasizes values such as unity and peace.
In short, the phrase “Deutschland über alles” is not itself Nazi, but it was distorted and used in an extremist nationalist way during the time of the Third Reich. Germany has since adopted a different national anthem which emphasizes different values.
Deutschland über alles in the Rammstein video
The music video for the song “Deutschland” by Rammstein, released in 2019, is highly symbolic and complex, and can be interpreted in various ways. The song and video address themes related to German history, identity and culture, with a focus on controversial historical moments and challenges faced by Germany over the centuries.
The video follows a non-linear narrative that spans different historical periods and contexts. Some of the key elements of the video include:
- Medieval Empires: The video begins with scenes reminiscent of medieval times, with images of conflicts, monarchs, and historical figures such as Barabbas of Habsburg and Theodoric the Great. These scenes can represent the ancient history of Germany.
- Nazi period: The video deals with the Nazi period, with references to figures such as Adolf Hitler, SS uniforms and the Auschwitz concentration camp. This part of the video clearly depicts the horrors of the Holocaust and Germany’s dark Nazi history.
- East-West division: The video also shows the period of the Cold War and the division of Germany into East and West, with a depiction of the fall of the Berlin Wall.
- Iconography and Symbolism: In the video, there are numerous symbols and images, some of which may be open to multiple interpretations. These symbols often recall historical events, mythology and German culture.
Overall, Rammstein’s video “Deutschland” appears to be an attempt to explore the complex German history and identity, highlighting dark and controversial moments in the country’s history alongside moments of unity and hope. It is important to note that video can be interpreted in a variety of ways, and understanding it may depend on the experience and perspective of the viewer. The song and video have sparked several discussions and debates about their interpretation.
Photo by OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay
