Art, literature & culture

Publication of Swiss Psalm

1841

The Swiss Psalm is the national anthem of Switzerland. The music was composed in 1841 by the monk and musician Alberik Zwyssig, and the original text, in German, was written by Leonhard Widmer. It was first sung at festivals and as a patriotic song and was gradually accepted across the country. The hymn is a prayer rather than a martial song, praising the beauty of the Alps and asking God for protection. It was used provisionally from 1961 and became the official anthem in 1981, replacing the earlier Rufst du, mein Vaterland. The text exists in all four national languages.

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