Like other many rulers in the 17th & 18th century, King George of Hanover and Great Britain instructed Georg Friedrich Händel to create an anthem. Händel's melody remained Great Britain's anthem after the end of the personell union in 1837. Also many other German states made this melody their anthem. It was used in the Dutchy of Oldenburg and the Kingdoms of Bavaria and Prussia. After 1871, it became the anthem of the second German Empire with the lyrics "Heil Dir im Siegerkranz". The Emperor of Austria was very impressed by Händel's theme an isntructed his Courtmusician Haydn to create the "Kaiserquartett", which became the antehm of the Austrian Empire and later of the Federal Republic of Germany.

The lyrics of the Hanoverian anthem contain three verses, with the first being sung in different variations. Besides "Heil Dir, Hannover", also "Heil Dir, Ernst August" (King from 1837 to 1851), and "Heil unser'm König" were used.

It is possible to download the anthem of Hanover as Midi-File !

Heil Dir Hannover, heil!

Freude werd' Dir zuteil,

Freude stets mehr.

Jauchze, Du Engelschor,

Dringe zu Gottes Ohr!

Mit Deinem Freudenchor:

Gebt Gott die Ehr'!