A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Brabançonne, La

BRABANÇONNE, LA, the national air of the Belgians, dating from the revolution of 1830, when Belgium became an independent country. Both words and music were composed during the struggle; the former by a certain Jenneval, who was killed in one of the actions near Antwerp, the latter by Campenhout. The air is certainly unlike other 'national airs,' but it has taken a very firm hold in the country. The melody, and the words of the first stanza are subjoined:—