Flanders – nationalanthems.info

The Flemish are one of the main ethnic groups of Belgium (60% of the Belgian population), and are Dutch-speaking. Their anthem, written in 1847, shows influences of German folk songs from the area and is in the style of “European march” anthems. The first two stanzas of the anthem was officially adopted by the Flemish government on July 6, 1973.

Special thanks to: Jan Bosmans for some of this information and Keith Terrett for the music file.

Dutch lyrics

1. Zij zullen hem niet temmen, de fiere Vlaamse Leeuw,
Al dreigen zij zijn vrijheid met kluisters en geschreeuw.
Zij zullen hem niet temmen, zolang een Vlaming leeft,
Zolang de Leeuw kan klauwen, zolang hij tanden heeft.

CHORUS:
Zij zullen hem niet temmen, zolang een Vlaming leeft,
Zolang de Leeuw kan klauwen, zolang hij tanden heeft.

2. De tijd verslindt de steden, geen tronen blijven staan:
De legerbenden sneven, een volk zal nooit vergaan.
De vijand trekt te velde, omringd van doodsgevaar.
Wij lachen met zijn woede, de Vlaamse Leeuw is daar

Chorus

English translation

1. They won’t tame him, the proud Flemish Lion
Even if they threat his freedom, with fettering and shouting
They won’t tame him, as long as one Fleming is still alive
As long as the Lion can claw, as long as he has teeth

CHORUS:
They won’t tame him, as long as one Fleming is still alive
As long as the Lion can claw, as long as he has teeth

2. Time will devour the cities, no thrones will ever last
Armies may go under, but a people never die.
The enemy will attack, surrounded by the fear of death
we laugh with his anger: the Flemish Lion is there!

Chorus