"Verdun! On ne passe pas" ("Verdun! They Shall Not Pass"): A military song created during the pivotal Battle of Verdun. The defiant phrase, "On ne passe pas," was the famous battle cry of the French troops.
Here’s a detailed background on Verdun! On ne passe pas — the historical events, the phrase, and the song — to help you understand the meaning, context, and significance. If you want, I can also focus on visual/propaganda aspects, or how it’s remembered in France.
Verdun (in northeastern France) was the site of one of WWI’s longest and bloodiest battles, fought between France and Germany from 21 February to 18 December 1916. Encyclopedia Britannica+2Deutsche Welle+2
Germany, under General Erich von Falkenhayn, chose Verdun partly because it was symbolically important and because he believed the French would feel compelled to defend it at all costs. His aim was attrition — to bleed France by forcing it to commit massive resources. Encyclopedia Britannica+1
Over the course of ~300+ days, both sides suffered immense losses. French casualties were around 400,000; German slightly less but also huge. Neither side gained lasting strategic ground until after months of back-and-forth. Encyclopedia Britannica+2Encyclopedia Britannica+2
The battle became a symbol of French determination and suffering during WWI. “Verdun” stands for endurance, national will, the brutal realities of trench warfare — mud, artillery, tremendous hardship. Encyclopedia Britannica+3Deutsche Welle+3Naharnet+3
The slogan “On ne passe pas!” (literally “One does not pass,” colloquially “They shall not pass”) is often associated with Verdun, as a rallying cry of defense. Deutsche Welle+3travelpostersonline.com+3Naharnet+3
General Robert Nivelle is credited with using a version of this during the battle. The exact original French phrase attributed to him is something like « Vous ne les laisserez pas passer, mes camarades » (“You shall not let them pass, my comrades”). Over time, this morphed into the more succinct forms “Ils ne passeront pas” or “On ne passe pas”. Modern British Art Gallery+2Naharnet+2
The phrase became emblematic of French resistance — propagandistic posters, songs, medals, etc. It served both morale and symbolic functions. Naharnet+3travelpostersonline.com+3Gun Mart+3
Verdun! On ne passe pas is a French patriotic song written in 1916, with words by Eugène Joullot and Jack Cazol, and music by René Mercier. Wikipedia
It celebrates the heroism in recapturing forts and the defensive effort during the Battle of Verdun; strongly linked to the slogan “On ne passe pas.” Wikipedia
The lyrics use powerful imagery: the German eagle, French national symbols (coq gaulois), the horrors of battle along the Meuse, calling on soldiers to defend “the door of France.” It blends a vivid sense of threat with exalted defiance. Voices from the French-Speaking World+2Wikipedia+2
As morale / propaganda — The phrase and the song helped bolster French national morale, especially under the strain of Verdun’s intensity. It expressed that France would not yield, no matter the cost.
Cultural memory — Verdun is deeply embedded in French collective memory; “On ne passe pas!” is one of its legendary expressions. Posters, songs, memorials, and ceremonies keep its memory alive.
International resonance — The phrase (and its variants) influenced other languages and conflicts (e.g. Spanish “¡No pasarán!”). The idea of standing firm under pressure with a resolute defense has became a broader symbol beyond just Verdun.
(Adolphe Bérard – 1916)
A
black eagle hovered over the city,
It swore that it would be victorious.
From every side, the crows slipped forward,
Through the furrows and the hollow paths.
But suddenly, the Gallic rooster cries out,
“Cock-a-doodle-doo! Arise, little soldiers!
The sun is shining, cannons thunder everywhere—
Young heroes, behold the great battles!”
Refrain:
And Verdun the Victorious
Shouts a cry that carries afar,
Echoed by the banks of the Meuse:
“Halt there! You shall not pass!
No more pride, no more arrogance—
Flee, you barbarians and lackeys!
Here stands the gateway to France,
And you shall never pass!”
The enemies advance in fury,
A vast wave of a living ocean,
Sowing death everywhere it goes,
Drunk with noise, with slaughter, and with blood.
They are about to break through when, raising his head,
An officer, in a final effort,
Though dying, cries, “Fix bayonets!
Come on, boys—stand up! Arise, the dead!”
(Refrain)
But our sons, in a sublime surge,
Rose up, and soon the black eagle,
Rage in its heart, powerless in its crime,
Saw its ultimate hope vanish.
The vile crows, before the French spirit,
Fell bleeding—this was the final fight.
While we sang La Marseillaise,
The assassins fled before the soldiers.