The Denmark national anthem lyrics belong to “Der er et yndigt land” (There Is a Lovely Country), the civil national anthem of Denmark. The lyrics were written by Adam Oehlenschläger in 1819, and the music was composed by Hans Ernst Krøyer. The anthem reflects landscape, history, and a calm sense of national identity.
lyrics
Der er et yndigt land,
det står med brede bøge
nær salten østerstrand;
det bugter sig i bakke, dal,
det hedder gamle Danmark,
og det er Frejas sal.
English
There is a lovely land,
it stands with wide beech trees
near the salty eastern shore;
it winds through hills and valleys,
it is called old Denmark,
and it is Freya’s hall.
What the Lyrics Mean
The Denmark national anthem lyrics open by describing the country as “lovely,” setting a peaceful tone rather than a heroic one.
Beech trees and the eastern shore ground the anthem in everyday nature, making the land familiar and personal.
Hills and valleys suggest variety and continuity rather than grandeur.
Calling Denmark “old” emphasizes history and endurance, not age as decline.
The reference to Freya, a figure from Norse mythology, links national identity to ancient cultural roots without invoking conflict.
The Story Behind Denmark’s National Anthem
“Der er et yndigt land” was written during a period when Denmark was redefining itself after political and territorial losses in the early 19th century. Rather than responding with anger or calls to arms, the song chose calm reflection.
Poet Adam Oehlenschläger focused on landscape and heritage, offering a quiet form of patriotism rooted in place and memory.
The melody by Hans Ernst Krøyer complemented this mood, making the anthem easy to sing and recognize.
Denmark is unusual in having two anthems: this civil anthem for national occasions and “Kong Christian stod ved højen mast” for royal and military events. In most public settings, Der er et yndigt land is the one performed.
Today, the anthem continues to represent Denmark through simplicity, nature, and historical continuity rather than power or conquest.
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