Deutschlandlied (German National Anthem)

Deutschlandlied, also known as Das Lied der Deutschen (The Song of the Germans), is the national anthem of Germany. Officially titled Das Lied der Deutschen. 

The lyrics were written in 1841 by August Heinrich Hoffmann von Fallersleben, and the melody was composed by Joseph Haydn in 1797.

It was first adopted in 1922 during the period of the Weimar Republic, replacing "Heil dir im Siegerkranz". The first stanza of "Deutschlandlied" was used during the Nazi regime from 1933 until the end of World War II. Since then, only the third stanza has been used officially as the national anthem.

This arrangement by Anthony Galla-Rini is for accordion ensemble:  The versatile arrangement allows accordion 1 and 2 (with the accordion 2 part being designed to be accordions 2 and 3 as might suit the ensemble number of players and abilities) plus bass accordion and timpani. The arrangement worka really well, with or without timpani.

The anthem’s melody was originally written for the Austrian Emperor Francis II and later adapted for the German lyrics. The phrase "Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit" (Unity and Justice and Freedom) from the third stanza is considered an unofficial national motto of Germany.