The French national anthem, or La Marseillaise, is one of the most famous national songs in the world. The song has a very has a melody and beat that are very inspiriting.
The song was first written 1792 by Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle and was originally called “Chant de guerre pour l’Armée du Rhin” or “War Song for the Army of the Rhine”.
It’s called La Marseillaise as it was first song on the streets of Marseille. Over the years the song has come to symbolize the French revolution and revolutions worldwide.
The theme of the song is based around war and citizens taking up arms against foreign forces. Below you can watch a YouTube video of the song as you read through the English and French lyrics and translation.
French lyrics and English translation
| FRENCH LYRICS | ENGLISH TRANSLATION |
| Allons enfants de la Patrie, Le jour de gloire est arrivé! Contre nous de la tyrannie, L’étendard sanglant est levé, (bis) Entendez-vous dans les campagnes Mugir ces féroces soldats? Ils viennent jusque dans vos bras Egorger vos fils, vos compagnes! | Arise, children of the Fatherland, The day of glory has arrived! Against us tyranny Raises its bloody banner (repeat) Do you hear, in the countryside, The roar of those ferocious soldiers? They’re coming right into your arms |
| Aux armes, citoyens, Formez vos bataillons, Marchez, marchez! Qu’un sang impur Abreuve nos sillons! | To arms, citizens, Form your battalions, March! March! That an impure blood Waters our furrows! |
| Amour sacré de la Patrie, Conduis, soutiens nos bras vengeurs Liberté, Liberté chérie, Combats avec tes défenseurs! (bis) Sous nos drapeaux que la victoire Accoure à tes mâles accents, Que tes ennemis expirants Voient ton triomphe et notre gloire! | Sacred love of the Fatherland, Lead, support our avenging arms Liberty, cherished Liberty, Fight with thy defenders! (repeat) Under our flags, shall victory Hurry to thy manly accents, That thy expiring enemies, See thy triumph and our glory! |
| Aux armes, citoyens… | To arms, citizens… |
| Tremblez, tyrans et vous perfides L’opprobre de tous les partis, Tremblez ! vos projets parricides Vont enfin recevoir leurs prix! (bis) Tout est soldat pour vous combattre, S’ils tombent, nos jeunes héros, La terre en produit de nouveaux, Contre vous tout prêts à se battre! | Tremble, tyrants and you traitors The shame of all parties, Tremble! Your parricidal schemes Will finally receive their reward! (repeat) Everyone is a soldier to combat you If they fall, our young heroes, The earth will produce new ones, Ready to fight against you! |
| Aux armes, citoyens… | To arms, citizens… |
| Que veut cette horde d’esclaves, De traîtres, de rois conjurés? Pour qui ces ignobles entraves, Ces fers dès longtemps préparés? (bis) Français, pour nous, ah! quel outrage Quels transports il doit exciter! C’est nous qu’on ose méditer De rendre à l’antique esclavage! | What does this horde of slaves, Of traitors and conjured kings want? For whom are these vile chains, These long-prepared irons? (repeat) Frenchmen, for us, ah! What outrage What fury it must arouse! It is us they dare plan To return to the old slavery! |
| Aux armes, citoyens… | To arms, citizens… |
| Quoi! des cohortes étrangères Feraient la loi dans nos foyers! Quoi! Ces phalanges mercenaires Terrasseraient nos fiers guerriers! (bis) Grand Dieu! Par des mains enchaînées Nos fronts sous le joug se ploieraient De vils despotes deviendraient Les maîtres de nos destinées! | What! Foreign cohorts Would make the law in our homes! What! These mercenary phalanxes Would strike down our proud warriors! (repeat) Great God ! By chained hands Our brows would yield under the yoke Vile despots would have themselves The masters of our destinies!Aux armes, citoyens… To arms, citizens… |
| Français, en guerriers magnanimes, Portez ou retenez vos coups! Épargnez ces tristes victimes, À regret s’armant contre nous. (bis) Mais ces despotes sanguinaires, Mais ces complices de Bouillé, Tous ces tigres qui, sans pitié, Déchirent le sein de leur mère! | Frenchmen, as magnanimous warriors, You bear or hold back your blows! You spare those sorry victims, Who arm against us with regret. (repeat) But not these bloodthirsty despots, These accomplices of Bouillé, All these tigers who, mercilessly, Rip their mother’s breast! |
| Aux armes, citoyens… | To arms, citizens… |
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Bonjour! My name is David Issokson. I'm based in Victor, Idaho and have helped hundreds of students to learn French via Skype or Zoom since 2014. 
