France national anthem lyrics in English: Explaining La Marseillaise translation, history and more
France national anthem lyrics in English: Explaining La Marseillaise translation, history and more originally appeared on The Sporting News.
Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
France have been one of international soccer’s dominant forces for decades, making La Marseillaise one of the most recognisable national anthems in the sport.
From Zinedine Zidane to Kylian Mbappe, generations of French stars have proudly sung the anthem before some of football’s biggest matches.
But what do the lyrics actually mean? The Sporting News explains the English translation, history and significance of France’s national anthem.
2026 WORLD CUP HQ:Latest World Cup news | Full World Cup schedule | Buy World Cup tickets
France national anthem lyrics in English
The opening verse and chorus are the parts of “La Marseillaise” most commonly heard before France matches.
Here’s what the words mean in English:
Allons enfants de la Patrie, (Arise, children of the Fatherland,)
Le jour de gloire est arrivé! (The day of glory has arrived!)
Contre nous de la tyrannie, (Against us, tyranny’s)
L’étendard sanglant est levé! (Bloody banner has been raised!)
L’étendard sanglant est levé! (Bloody banner has been raised!)
Entendez-vous dans les campagnes (Do you hear in the countryside)
Mugir ces féroces soldats? (The roar of those fierce soldiers?)
Ils viennent jusque dans vos bras (They are coming into your very arms)
Égorger vos fils, vos compagnes! (To cut the throats of your sons and your wives!)
Aux armes, citoyens, (To arms, citizens,)
Formez vos bataillons, (Form your battalions,)
Marchons, marchons! (Let us march, let us march!)
Qu’un sang impur (May impure blood)
Abreuve nos sillons! (Water our furrows!)
What is France’s national anthem about?
“La Marseillaise” was written in 1792 during the French Revolution, when France was at war with Austria and faced the threat of foreign invasion.
Composed by Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle, the song was intended to inspire French citizens and soldiers to defend their country, freedom and the ideals of the Revolution.
It was adopted as France’s national anthem in 1795 and permanently reinstated in 1879 after periods in which it fell out of official use.
Although some of its language reflects the conflict and politics of the late 18th century, “La Marseillaise” remains a powerful symbol of French unity and patriotism, and is still performed before France’s international soccer matches today.
France national anthem music
“La Marseillaise” quickly spread across France before being adopted as the country’s national anthem.
The anthem’s original title was “Chant de guerre pour l’Armée du Rhin” (“War Song for the Army of the Rhine”), but it became known as “The song of Marseille” due to reservists from the southern port city singing it on their marches north.
Here is the full version of “La Marseillaise”
MORE WORLD CUP NEWS:
