LE TEMPS, APS, THE LOCAL, LE MATIN (Switzerland)
BERN – The Swiss Public Welfare Society (SSUP) has launched a contest to change Switzerland’s national lyrics by August 2015, reports Le Temps.
According the newspaper, the association finds the existing lyrics too awkward and outdated -- so much so that a majority of Swiss don't know the words to it and can't sing along.
The SPWS wants the new lyrics to reflect better contemporary Switzerland. The current anthem is known as the Swiss Psalm, with versions in all of Switzerland's official languages (German, French, Italian, Romansch), and is a hymn praising God and the Alps, explains the Local.
The lyrics will have to be inspired by the preamble of the Federal Constitution of the Swiss Confederation and be sung in two languages, adds Le Temps. The music will remain the same.
In 2008, Margret Kiener Nellen from the Social Democratic Party of Switzerland asked for new lyrics but her request was denied by the Federal Council. Similar attempts had already failed in the 1990s, adds Le Temps.
The Swiss psalm was composed by Alberich Zwyssig in 1841 and replaced Rufst du, mein Vaterland (When you call, my Fatherland, using God Save The Queen melody) in 1961. It was only officially adopted as national anthem in 1981.
The Swiss national anthem sounds like a remix of "Happy Birthday" and "We Wish You a Merry Christmas'. #london2012
— Tubes (@tubes_taylor) Août 4, 2012
