FRANCE are attempting to retain the World Cup in Qatar as they get their campaign underway.
And once again they will be singing their iconic anthem La Marseillaise when they come up against Denmark.
But what are the lyrics and what is the history behind it?
What are the France national anthem lyrics?
Allons enfants de la Patrie,
Le jour de gloire est arrivé!
Contre nous de la tyrannie,
L’étendard sanglant est levé, (bis)
Entendez-vous dans les campagnes
Mugir ces féroces soldats?
Ils viennent jusque dans vos bras
Égorger vos fils, vos compagnes!
Aux armes, citoyens,
Formez vos bataillons,
Marchons, marchons!
Qu’un sang impur
Abreuve nos sillons!
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What are the France national anthem lyrics in English?
Arise, children of the Fatherland,
The day of glory has arrived!
Against us, tyranny’s
Bloody standard is raised, (repeat)
Do you hear, in the countryside,
The roar of those ferocious soldiers?
They’re coming right into your arms
To cut the throats of your sons, your women!
To arms, citizens,
Form your battalions,
Let’s march, let’s march!
Let an impure blood
Water our furrows!
When was Les Marseillais written?
Les Marseillais was written in 1792 by Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle in Strasbourg after the declaration of war by France against Austria.
It was originally called “Chant de guerre pour l’Armée du Rhin” (“War Song for the Rhine Army”).
The French National Convention adopted it as the country’s national anthem in 1795.
