The national anthem consists of the first and last verses of the song 'Ons Heemecht' (our homeland) dating from 1859, with words by the poet Michel Lentz set to music by Jean-Antoine Zinnen. The national anthem, which was given its first public performance at a grand ceremony in Ettelbruck in 1864, issues a vibrant appeal for peace and freedom. It expresses the country’s great joy at having achieved independence in 1839 in an atmosphere of peace and prosperity. Only the government may publish official translations of the national anthem. The 'Wilhelmus', anthem of the grand ducal house, is played up when one of the members of the grand ducal family arrives at an official ceremony and when he again leaves.