| Margarete Münsterberg, ed., trans. A Harvest of German Verse. 1916. | | | | Father, I Call Thee! | | By Theodor Körner (1791–1813) |
| | | FATHER, I call Thee! | |
| Smoke clouds enwrap me and cannons are crashing, | |
| Round me the terrible lightnings are flashing. | |
| Guide of all battles, I call Thee! | |
| Father, oh guide me! | 5 |
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| Father, oh guide me! | |
| Guide me to victory and to death lead me: | |
| Lord, Thy commandments I know and I heed Thee; | |
| Lord, as Thou willest, so guide me! | |
| My God, I heed Thee! | 10 |
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| My God, I heed Thee! | |
| Once amid murmur of leaves I could hear Thee, | |
| Now in the thunder of war I am near Thee. | |
| Fountain of mercy, I heed Thee. | |
| Father, oh bless me! | 15 |
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| Father, oh bless me! | |
| Into Thy hand my life I surrender: | |
| Thou hast bestowed it, so take it, Defender! | |
| Living or dying, oh bless me! | |
| Father, I praise Thee! | 20 |
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| Father, I praise Thee! | |
| Not for the goods of this earth we are fighting: | |
| To guard the holiest, our swords are smiting. | |
| Falling in triumph, I praise Thee. | |
| My God, I trust Thee! | 25 |
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| My God, I trust Thee! | |
| When all the thunders of death are roaring, | |
| When from my veins the blood is pouring: | |
| My life, God, I trust to Thee! | |
| Father, I call Thee! | 30 | | | |
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