What Dominic Sandbrook has said about Deutschlandlied
6 quotes · 1 episode · Jun 14, 2026
Dominic Sandbrook, British historian, author and co-host of The Rest Is History, has been quoted on Deutschlandlied 6 times in 1 episode of The Rest Is History, most recently on June 14, 2026. Each quote below is verbatim and links to the moment it was said.
In their words
Sandbrook argues that the German anthem is commonly misnamed in Britain and is actually titled Das Lied der Deutschen, written in 1841.
“Actually, it's not called Deutschland über alles. It was written in 1841”
The Rest Is History: 679. Germany: The Song Hitler Stole (Part 3) (Jun 14, 2026) · Listen from 4:06
Sandbrook claims the German anthem has perhaps the most fascinating history of any national anthem, including Britain's.
“I think it has actually perhaps the most fascinating history of any national anthem, including Tom Our Own”
The Rest Is History: 679. Germany: The Song Hitler Stole (Part 3) (Jun 14, 2026) · Listen from 6:52
Sandbrook argues that 'Deutschland über alles' was a call for Germans to put unity above regional loyalties, not a militaristic or expansionist slogan.
“Hoffman would have been amazed to hear people say this is militaristic and a call for expansionism”
The Rest Is History: 679. Germany: The Song Hitler Stole (Part 3) (Jun 14, 2026) · Listen from 16:34
Sandbrook says the song was originally a liberal rather than conservative idea, beloved of students and poets.
“And at the time, this is not a conservative idea. It's a liberal idea. So the people who are singing this song”
The Rest Is History: 679. Germany: The Song Hitler Stole (Part 3) (Jun 14, 2026) · Listen from 17:24
Sandbrook states that polls in the early 1950s showed a majority of West Germans backed Adenauer's wish to restore the old anthem.
“polls showed that Adenauer spoke for the majority. So seven out of 10 people in the early 50s said, come on, we want the old one back”
The Rest Is History: 679. Germany: The Song Hitler Stole (Part 3) (Jun 14, 2026) · Listen from 45:02
Sandbrook gives his personal verdict that the current German anthem is good and that he would sing it enthusiastically if German.
“I think if I was German, I would sing it with great enthusiasm”
The Rest Is History: 679. Germany: The Song Hitler Stole (Part 3) (Jun 14, 2026) · Listen from 1:07:27
Episodes
679. Germany: The Song Hitler Stole (Part 3)The Rest Is History · Jun 14, 2026 · 1 h 13 min
Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook trace the history of Germany's national anthems, from Haydn's Austrian hymn through Nazi, West and East German anthems to reunification.
Others on Deutschlandlied
- Tom Holland · 1 quote
Dominic Sandbrook on other topics
- Ku Klux Klan · 13 quotes
- Mayerling incident · 8 quotes
- Burr–Hamilton duel · 8 quotes
- Fall of Maximilien Robespierre · 7 quotes
- Gallipoli campaign · 7 quotes
- The Star-Spangled Banner · 5 quotes
- Winston Churchill and the Dardanelles · 5 quotes
- History of wine · 5 quotes