Netherlands National Anthem — Wilhelmus

The "Wilhelmus" is unusual among anthems: it is written as a first-person monologue spoken by William of Orange (William the Silent), the nobleman who led the sixteenth-century revolt of the Low Countries against Philip II of Spain. He declares himself of the House of Nassau, loyal to the fatherland "until death".

The much-debated line "van Duitsen bloed" ("of Germanic blood") reflects sixteenth-century usage, when the word covered the wider Germanic-speaking lands rather than modern Germany. Even the striking claim that he has "always honoured" the King of Spain frames the revolt as loyal resistance to tyranny rather than personal rebellion — a nuance at the heart of the Dutch founding story.

The song is thought to have been written between 1568 and 1572, early in the Eighty Years' War, and is traditionally attributed to Philips of Marnix, a diplomat and ally of William of Orange. Its melody was borrowed from a French soldiers' tune of the period. Fifteen stanzas long, the anthem normally features only the first and sixth verses in performance. After centuries of unofficial patriotic use, it was proclaimed the national anthem on 10 May 1932.

The "Wilhelmus" is deeply woven into Dutch identity and is played at royal occasions, state ceremonies and sporting events. Its most remarkable feature is hidden in the text: the first letters of its fifteen stanzas form an acrostic spelling "Willem van Nassov". Its blend of great age, personal voice and quiet defiance makes it one of the most distinctive anthems in the world.

The "Wilhelmus" is the national anthem of the Netherlands and one of the most historic of all the world's national anthems. Its text is attributed to Philips of Marnix and dates to about 1572; the melody is older still, adapted from a French song.

Although sung for centuries, it only became the official anthem in 1932, replacing "Wien Neêrlands bloed". Both words and music are long in the public domain.