Marseillaise

Marseillaise, the stirring song or hymn of the French republicans, was composed, six-sevenths of it, in 1792, by a young officer, Rouget de Lisle (q.v.), then stationed at Strasburg. He composed both words and music under one inspiration one night in April after dining with the mayor of the city; Chant de l'Armée du Rhin was the name he gave it. The song was speedily carried by enthusiastic revolutionists to the chief cities of France. It was brought to Paris by the volunteers of Marseilles, who sang it as they entered the capital (30th July) and when they marched to the storming of the Tuileries. Hence the Parisians called it La Marseillaise, and as such it has become the official hymn of the republicans of France. More than one writer has called in question Rouget de Lisle's claim to have composed the music; but his originality seems to have been proved. Interdicted under the Restoration and the Second Empire, the Marseillaise became again the national song on the outbreak of the Franco-German war. See Le Roy de Sainte-Croix's monograph (1880) and Loth's inquiry into its real author (Paris, 1886).