West Germany
"Hymne an Deutschland " (Hymn to Germany)

Words by: Rudolf Alexander Schröder
Music by: Hermann Reutter
In use: 1950-1952

The first official anthem adopted by West Germany after founding in 1949 was the "Hymn an Deutschland". The "Lied der Deutschen" that was often used in Germany was probably avoided at this time due to the recent misuse of the anthem by the Nazi party (and the subsequent ban on the anthem by the Allied powers for the years following). The anthem proved to be unpopular with the people, however, possibly due to the similarity of a church hymn.

Special thanks to: Reinhard Popp for some of this information

See also: Germany (1922-1945, 1990-), West Germany (1949-1950), West Germany (1952-1990).