The Evolution and Adoption of the Dutch National Anthem: A Historical Perspective

For a long time, the Netherlands did not have a clear and universally accepted national anthem. The change in 1932 was not merely a governmental decision but a significant cultural evolution that reflected the country's growing awareness of nationalism and its changing political landscape.

A Nostalgic Choice: The Return of Wilhelmus

Before 1932, the Netherlands had a somewhat controversial anthem, known as Wien Nederlandsch Bloed.... This anthem, which had roots in the 19th century, was criticized for its archaic language and nationalistic sentiments, as well as its religious and racist undertones. The official anthem at the time was the Wilhelmus, a hymn from 1574 that celebrated William of Orange, a key figure in the Dutch Revolt against Spanish rule.

Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands, who reigned from 1890 to 1948, was part of the push to return the Wilhelmus. She argued that the old anthem was more neutral and historically significant, commemorating the fight for Dutch independence in the 16th and 17th centuries during the Eighty Years' War. The new anthem embraced the spirit of the great-grandparents who fought for their independence, instilling a sense of gratitude and a duty to preserve it.

A Controversial Anthem and its Replacement

The Wien Nederlandsch Bloed... anthem became increasingly controversial, especially among socialists who refused to sing it. This was partly due to the offensive and outdated language used within the lyrics. The period between the two World Wars saw a growing awareness of the implications of nationalism, particularly in the context of rising tensions in Europe. This shift in societal values contributed to the eventual decision to replace the anthem with a more suitable alternative.

By 1932, the Netherlands needed a reliable and universally accepted national anthem. The Wilhelmus was officially adopted with a history stretching back to 1817, making it the official anthem of the Netherlands in 1932. However, the writing of the Wilhelmus had an interesting journey of its own. Before the French occupation around 1900, there were two main parties in the Netherlands: the Orangists and the Patriots. The Patriots did not accept the Wilhelmus as a national anthem, leading to a competition in 1925 to write an anthem that could unite the nation.

A New Anthem for a New Era

In 1925, a competition was organized to write a new national anthem, offering a prize of five hundred guilders to the winner. Hendrik Tollens, known for his book De Overwintering Der Hollanders Op Nova Zembla, and composer Johann Wilms won the contest with their eight-verse anthem. The anthem, entitled Wien Nederlandsch Bloed..., featured the catchy recurring line, "vor vorst en vaderland / vor vorstin en vaderland."

Initially, the Wien Nederlandsch Bloed... anthem did not gain widespread popularity but found a foothold when Belgium sought secession from the Netherlands in 1831. It was included in a soldiers' songbook, "Can You Still Sing / Sing Along," which helped to foster a sense of togetherness. Over time, the lyrics and melody of the anthem changed, and different versions emerged.

The Final Decision: Adoption of the Wilhelmus

By the time 1932 rolled around, the Wien Nederlandsch Bloed... anthem had become outdated and irrelevant. The controversy surrounding its lyrics and the need for a clear and universally accepted anthem led to a decision by the Council of Ministers. Despite the Wilhelmus being the unofficial national anthem for 356 years, it was officially adopted as the national anthem of the Netherlands in 1932.

This decision aimed to provide a cohesive cultural identity for the nation and a more stable framework for international relations. It also helped to address the issue of having both an unofficial anthem and an outdated official one, which was perceived as a sloppy reflection of the country's values.