Dear Motherland Of France, Dedicated To The Men And Women Of France

Our Motherland, dear Motherland,     The source of beauty and of Art,     Who but thy children understand     The love which permeates each heart!     We see, through rainbow-tints of tears,     Thy glory of a thousand years.     O country of the Great and Free,     We live for thee, we live for thee,     Dear Motherland of France.     O Motherland, both blithe and brave,     What magic lies in thy name - France!     Yet can thy radiant mien be grave,     And stern thy ever-smiling glance.     And when thy sons and daughters know     That enemies would lay thee low     And dim thy fame on land and sea,     We fight for thee, we fight for thee,     Dear Motherland of France.     Dear Motherland of joy and mirth,     Dear Motherland of faith divine,     A thousand years the wondering earth     Has seen thy star in splendour shine.     Still shall it see that star of France     Its splendour and its light enhance.     Dear Motherland, when it need be     We die for thee, we die for thee,     Dear Motherland of France.