The French anthem, La Marseillaise, is the anthem of an army on the march.

This is reflected in some of the song's gory lyrics.

The composer was an army captain called Rouget de Lisle.

He penned it in one night during the French Revolution in 1792.

Printed copies were handed out to the soldiers and they sang it as they marched on Paris.

La Marseillaise

Allons enfants de la Patrie
Le jour de gloire est arrivé.
Contre nous, de la tyrannie,
L'étandard sanglant est levé,
l'étandard sanglant est levé.
Entendez-vous, dans les campagnes
Mugir ces farouches soldats?
Ils viennent jusque dans nos bras
Egorger vos fils, vos compagnes.

Chorus

Aux armes citoyens!
Formez vos bataillons,
Marchons, marchons!
Qu'un sang impur
Abreuve nos sillons.

Translation

Let us go, children of the fatherland
Our day of Glory has arrived.
Against us stands tyranny,
The bloody flag is raised,
The bloody flag is raised.
Do you hear in the countryside
The roar of these savage soldiers
They come right into our arms
To cut the throats of your sons,
your wives.

Chorus

To arms, citizens!
Form up your battalions
Let us march, Let us march!
That their impure blood
Should water our fields

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