Wilhelmus

The Wilhelmus is the national anthem of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Its lyrics are a poem of fifteen stanzas, written between 1568 and 1572. The poem is attributed to Philips van Marnix van Sint-Aldegonde, though this is not definitively proven. The melody is even older, believed to have originated in the 16th century. The Wilhelmus played a significant role in the Dutch Revolt against Spanish rule. Its themes of loyalty to the Prince of Orange and defiance against foreign oppression resonated deeply with the rebels. The song was not officially adopted as the Dutch national anthem until 1932. However, it had been used as such informally for a considerable period before that. Only the first and sixth stanzas are typically sung today. The lyrics are written in a 16th-century Dutch dialect, making them somewhat archaic for modern speakers. The song is sung to the tune of "O Courage, O Love," a French military song. The Wilhelmus is unique among national anthems for its length and its first-person perspective, purportedly spoken by William of Orange.