| Margarete Münsterberg, ed., trans. A Harvest of German Verse. 1916. | | | | The Swiss | | By Alsatian Soldier Song (1784–90) |
| | | IN Strassburg in the fort | |
| All woe began for me: | |
| The Alpine bugle yonder made me sore, | |
| I had to swim to my dear country's shore; | |
| That should not be. | 5 |
| |
| One hour 'twas in the night, | |
| They took me in my plight, | |
| And led me straightway to the captain's door. | |
| Oh God, they fished me in the stream—what more? | |
| Now all is o'er. | 10 |
| |
| To-morrow morn at ten | |
| The regiment I'll have to face; | |
| They'll lead me there to beg for grace. | |
| I'll have my just reward, I know. | |
| It must be so. | 15 |
| |
| Ye brothers, all ye men, | |
| Ye'll never see me here again; | |
| The shepherd boy, I say, began it all, | |
| And I accuse the Alpine bugle-call | |
| Of this my fall. | 20 |
| |
| I pray ye, brothers three, | |
| Come on and shoot at me; | |
| Fear not my tender life to hurt, | |
| Shoot on and let the red blood spurt— | |
| Come on, I say! | 25 |
| |
| Oh, Lord of heaven, on high! | |
| Take my poor erring soul | |
| Unto its heavenly goal; | |
| There let it stay forever— | |
| Forget me never! | 30 | | | |
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