User:The C of E/austria

"Austria" is the name of a hymn tune that is used in a number of Christian hymns. It was written by Joseph Haydn for his "Gott erhalte Franz den Kaiser" but has since been adopted within English speaking countries as a hymn tune. The tune has been controversial in the past due to its associations with "Deutschlandlied".

Use as a hymn tune
"Austria" was first used as a hymn tune by John Newton for Glorious Things of Thee are Spoken.

Controversy
The hymn tune has been controversial as due to it sharing the same tune as Nazi Germany's "Deutschland über alles" anthem. In 1942, Abbot's Leigh was composed as a substitute hymn tune for "Glorious Things of Thee are Spoken" as it was deemed inappropriate in the United Kingdom during the Second World War to use the tune. Even into modern day, many churches refuse to play "Austria" due to it raising reminders of Nazi Germany.