Database: Le Chant du Départ

Written by poet Marie-Joseph Chenier to the music of Etienne Méhul, the "Song of the Departure" was often regarded as the "brother of the Marseillaise". It was sung for the first time following the French troops' victory at the Battle of Fleurus (June 26, 1794) against the coalition army (Great British, Hanover, Dutch Republic and Hapsburg Empire), and was reused a few days later on July 14, 1794 to celebrate the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille. Originally entitled "Hymne à la liberté", it was renamed by Robespierre, who praised the lyrics as "magnificent poetry". The words glorify the fighting passion of the French, ready to take on the world in the name of republican freedom.