Oben am jungen Rhein (Up above the young Rhine), sung to the same tune as God Save the Queen, has been the national anthem of Liechtenstein since 1963, when the lyrics were altered (the first line had been Oben am deutschen Rhein). The original lyrics had been written in 1850 by Swiss pastor Jakob Josef Jauch (1802-1859), in a time when the Principality of Liechtenstein, which is considered the last remnant of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation, was a member of the German Confederation. About a decade earlier, French claims to the left bank of the Rhine (Rhine Crisis of 1840) had triggered a series of German Rhine songs of which Die Wacht am Rhein is the most famous. Jauch's lyrics were adopted in 1920 as national anthem. In 1963, the anthem was shortened, and references to German and Germany were removed: am deutschen Rhein (at the German Rhine) became "at the young Rhine", and im deutschen Vaterland (in German fatherland) became das teure Vaterland (the precious fatherland). The second original stanza, containing Auf Deutschlands Wacht (on guard for Germany) was, like the 3rd and 4th discontinued altogether. Liechtenstein Lyrics: Oben am jungen Rhein Lehnet sich Liechtenstein An Alpenhöh'n. Dies liebe Heimatland, Das teure Vaterland, Hat Gottes weise Hand Für uns erseh'n. Hoch lebe Liechtenstein Blühend am jungen Rhein, Glücklich und treu. Hoch leb' der Fürst vom Land, Hoch unser Vaterland, Durch Bruderliebe Band Vereint und frei. English Translation: Up above the young Rhine Lies Liechtenstein, resting On Alpine heights. This beloved homeland, This dear fatherland Was chosen for us by God's wise hand. Long live Liechtenstein, Blossoming on the young Rhine, Happy and faithful! Long live the Prince of the Land, Long live our fatherland, Through bonds of brotherly love united and free!

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