Partant pour la Syrie

Partant pour la Syrie, (Departing for Syria) also known as Le beau Dunois was a national anthem of the Second French Empire, dated to 1807. The music was composed by Queen Hortense de Beauharnais and the lyrics were written by Comte Alexandre de Laborde.

 Lyrics 

 French 
Partant pour la Syrie,

Le jeune et beau Dunois,

Venait prier Marie

De bénir ses exploits :

Faites, Reine immortelle,

Lui dit-il en partant,

Que j'aime la plus belle

Et sois le plus vaillant. 

On lui doit la Victoire.

Vraiment, dit le seigneur ;

Puisque tu fais ma gloire

Je ferai ton bonheur.

De ma fille Isabelle,

Sois l'Epoux à l'instant,

Car elle est la plus belle,

Et toi le plus vaillant.

Il trace sur la pierre

Le serment de l'honneur,

Et va suivre à la guerre

Le Comte son seigneur ;

Au noble voeu fidèle,

Il dit en combattant :

Amour à la plus belle,

Honneur au plus vaillant. 

A l'Autel de Marie,

Ils contractent tous deux

Cette union Chérie

Qui seule rend heureux.

Chacun dans la chapelle

Disait en les voyant :

Amour à la plus belle,

Honneur au plus vaillant.

 English 
Leaving for Syria,

The young and handsome Dunois

Went to ask the Virgin Mary,

His heroic deeds to bless,

Make it so, immortal Queen

He said on his leaving,

That I love the most beautiful (woman)

And be the bravest.

We owe you the victory

Verily! says the lord,

Since you have established my glory,

I will make you happy!

My daughter Isabella

Will be your wife

For she is the most beautiful (woman)

And you the bravest.

He writes on stone

The oath of honor

And follows into war

The earl, his lord.

Faithful to his noble vow,

He said while fighting:

Love to the most beautiful (woman)

Honor to the bravest.

At the altar of Mary,

They pledged both

This dear union

Which alone brings happiness.

Everyone in the chapel

Said seeing them:

Love to most beautiful (woman)

Honor to the bravest.

 References 

Category:Historical anthems
Category:French anthems
Category:1800s works