Schwertlied

"Schwertlied" ("Sword Song") is a poem by Theodor Körner, written shortly before his death in battle on 26 August 1813.

Theodor Körner was a famous poet during his lifetime, and was appointed poet to the court at the Vienna Burgtheater. He nonetheless gave up his civilian life and joined the Lützow Free Corps, a Prussian military unit composed of volunteers from all over Germany.

As a soldier, Körner wrote several patriotic poems, like "Lützows wilde, verwegene Jagd" and the "Schwertlied". Several hours after having written the "Schwertlied" Körner fell in battle near Gadebusch (Mecklenburg), and consequently became a national hero in Germany.

"Schwertlied" functions as paean of warrior spirit. Therein, Körner describes the relationship between a soldier and his sword as if the weapon were his bride thirsting for blood. In the end, he draws the sword, as battle awaits him, thus making the marriage legal before God ("At last / Hath truly God allied / The right hand to the bride.").

1. Du Schwert an meiner Linken,
Was soll dein heit'res Blinken?
Schaust mich so freundlich an,
Hab' meine Freude dran.
Hurra!

1. Thou sword at my left side,
What means thy flash of pride?
Thou smilest so on me,
I take delight in thee.
Hurrah!

2. "Mich trägt ein wack'rer Reiter,
Drum blink' ich auch so heiter,
Bin freien Mannes Wehr;
Das freut dem Schwerte sehr."
Hurra!

2. "I grace a warrior's side,
And hence my flash of pride;
What rapture thus to be
The guardian of the free!"
Hurrah!

3. Ja, gutes Schwert, frei bin ich
Und liebe dich herzinnig,
Als wärst du mir getraut
Als eine liebe Braut!
Hurra!

3. Good sword, yes, I am free,
And fondly I love thee,
As wert thou, at my side,
My sweet affianced bride.
Hurrah!

4. "Dir hab' ich's ja ergeben,
Mein lichtes Eisenleben –
Ach, wären wir getraut!
Wann holst du deine Braut?"
Hurra!

4. "To thee did I not plight
My iron troth so light?
O were the knot but tied!
When wilt thou fetch thy bride?"
Hurrah!

5. Zur Brautnachts-Morgenröte
Ruft festlich die Trompete;
Wenn die Kanonen schrei'n,
Hol' ich das Liebchen ein.
Hurra!

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Wikipedia