August 4, at 11.05, it was 150 years since H.C. Andersen passed away.

H.C. Andersen became world famous because of his fairytales, which children as well as adults still love.

Besides his fairytales, H.C. Andersen also wrote novels, hymns and song lyrics.

Two of his hymns are in our Danish hymnbook, " Barn Jesus i en krybbe lå" and " Jeg har en angst som aldrig før". The first one is translated into English by John Irons,       " The Christ child in a manger lay." Unfortunately, the latter is not.

As said, H.C. Andersen also wrote song lyrics and the best known and highly loved is  " I Danmark er jeg født, der har jeg hjemme", in English "In Denmark I was born, 'tis there my home is".

This song, the Danes often discuss whether it should have been our national anthem rather than "der er et yndigt land", "There is a lovely land".

Below, you see the lyrics to "In Denmark I was born, 'tis there my home is", which H.C. Andersen wrote in the wake of The First Schleswig war (1848-1851).

Because of his many travels abroad H.C. Andersen some people had raised question about his national sentiment, but with this song H. C. Andersen repudiated all the accusations.

What do you think:

In Denmark I was born, 'tis there my home is,

From there my roots, and there my world extend.

You Danish tongue, as soft as Mother's voice is,

With you my heartbeats O so sweetly blend.

You windswept Danish strand,

Where ancient chieftain's barrow

Strands close to apple orchard, hop and mallow,

'Tis you I love - Denmark, my native land!

O where does summer strew her bed all over

With lovelier flowers than here, by open strand?

Where shines the silver moon on field of clover

So bright as in the beech's native land?

You windswept Danish strand,

Where Dannebrog is waving,

You came - O flag - from God, our foes outbraving!

'Tis you I love - Denmark, my native land!

On day all Nordic lands were in your power

And England too - no longer your domains.

A tiny land, but in the world you tower -

There ring the song and chisel of the Danes.

You windswept Danish strand,

The ploughshare finds past treasure;

God bless your future too in golden measure!

'Tis you I love - Denmark, my native land!

You land where I was born, and where my home is,

From where my roots derive, my world extends,

Where language is as soft as Mother's voice is,

And with my heartbeats like sweet music blends.

You windswept Danish strand,

For swans to build their nest in,

Green island home on earth, for heart to rest in,

'Tis you I love - Denmark, my native land!