France National Anthem 1852-1870 “Partant pour la Syrie” (Instrumental)

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Originally written as a love song, the melody was attributed to Hortense de Beauharnais, queen of the Netherlands and mother of Emperor Napoleon III, the French ruler of this time, but musicologist Arthur Pougin determined the true author of the melody was Louis-François-Philippe Drouet, flutist at the court of Louis, King de Hollande, although it was a favourite of Queen Hortense.

The song was a favourite of the Bonapartists during the times before the Second Empire (when this was used as the anthem), and was also popular during the First Empire. The song was so prevalent during the days of the second Empire, it became known as the national anthem (and is still popular with French soldiers today).

Title
“Partant pour la Syrie” (French)
“Going to Syria” (English translation)

Lyricist
Alexandre de Laborde

Composer
Louis-François-Philippe Drouet

In Use
1852 (adopted)
1870 (replaced)

French lyrics

1. Partant pour la Syrie
Le jeune et beau Dunois
Venait prier Marie
De bénir ses exploits.
Faites, Reine Immortelle,
Lui dit-il en partant,
Que j’aime la plus belle
Et sois le plus vaillant
Que j’aime la plus belle
Et sois le plus vaillant

2. Il écrit sur la pierre
Le serment de l’honneur
Et va suivre à la guerre
Le comte, son seigneur.
Au noble voeu fidèle,
Il dit en combattant:
Amour à la plus belle
Honneur au plus vaillant
Amour à la plus belle
Honneur au plus vaillant

3. On te doit la victoire
Vraiment! dit le Seigneur,
Puisque tu fais ma gloire
Je ferai ton bonheur !
De ma fille Isabelle,
Sois l’époux à l’instant,
Car elle est la plus belle
Et toi le plus vaillant
Car elle est la plus belle
Et toi le plus vaillant

4. A l’autel de Marie,
Ils contractent tous deux
Cette union chérie
Qui seule rend heureux.
Chacun dans la chapelle
Disait en les voyant:
Amour à la plus belle
Honneur au plus vaillant
Amour à la plus belle
Honneur au plus vaillant.

English translation

1. Going to Syria
The young and beautiful Dunois
When he went to ask the Virgin Mary,
His heroic deeds to bless,
Do you, immortal Queen
He said on his leaving,
I love the most beautiful
And am the bravest
I love the most beautiful
And am the bravest

2. He wrote on stone
The oath of honor
And followed into war
The earl, his lord.
The noble desire faithfulness
He said to his fighter:
Love the most beautiful
Honor to the brave
Love the most beautiful
Honor to the brave

3. We owe you the victory
Verily! says the lord,
Since you have established my glory,
I will make you happy!
My daughter Isabella
Will be your wife
For she is the most beautiful
And you the bravest
For she is the most beautiful
And you the bravest

4. At the altar of Mary,
They pledged both
This dear union
Which makes the lonely happy.
Everyone in the chapel
Said seeing them:
Love the most beautiful
Honor to the brave
Love the most beautiful
Honor to the brave.