France are just three games away from becoming the third nation to win back-to-back World Cups.
The Blues reached the quarter-finals after a convincing 3-1 win over Poland, with talisman Kylian Mbappe as the star of the tournament.
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France’s national anthem was the soundtrack to their recent hit
Expectations for Didier Deschamps’ men are at an all-time high ahead of their clash with England as they attempt to follow Italy and Brazil to successfully defend the World Cup trophy.
Along the way, France formed a bond of unity and solidarity between their players and their fans, which was showcased during their iconic national anthem.
Originally written as a war song, ‘La Marseillaise’ was composed in 1792 by Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle in Strasbourg.
The tune was originally titled “War Song of the Army of the Rhine” for troops marching after France declared war on Austria.
He later adopted his nickname because of his popularity among the volunteer troops from Marseilles marching to Paris, the French capital.
While the lyrics were originally intended to evoke themes of strength in the French military, they have since evolved into a symbol of harmony.
England fans memorably joined in a rendition of the French national anthem as a sign of unity during a 2-0 win at Wembley in 2015 following the Paris attacks.
“La Marseillaise” originally had six verses, but only the first and sixth are sung in current public events such as the World Cup.
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The national anthem of France has evolved from its origins as a war song
Lyrics of La Marseillaise in full
Let’s go children of the Fatherland,
The day of glory has come !
Against us from the tyrany
The bloody banner is raised
Can you hear in the countryside
Blared the wild soldiers ?
they come right into your arms
Slay your son, your companions
Arise, children of the Fatherland,
The day of glory has come !
Against us, tyranny
The bloody standard is high
Do you hear, in the countryside,
The roar of those fierce soldiers?
They come straight into your arms
To slaughter your sons, your wives!
To arms, citizens,
Form your battalions,
Let’s walk, let’s walk!
That one sang impure
Water our furrows
To arms, citizens,
Form your battalions,
March, March!
Leave impure blood
Water our furrows!
What does this horde of slaves want,
Traitors, evoked kings?
For whom these ignoble shackles,
These irons of a long time are getting ready?
French, for us, ah! what an outrage
What transports it must excite!
It is we who dare to meditate
To return to ancient slavery!
To arms, citizens…
What is this horde of slaves doing,
Traitors and conspiratorial kings want?
For whom have these vile chains,
These irons, long prepared?
French, for us, ah! What indignation
What furious action this must elicit!
It is to us that they dare to project
A return to old slavery!
To arms, citizens…
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