SWORD, on my left side gleaming, | |
| What means thy bright eye’s beaming? | |
| It makes my spirit dance | |
| To see thy friendly glance. | |
| Hurrah! | 5 |
| |
| “A valiant rider bears me; | |
| A free-born German wears me: | |
| That makes my eye so bright; | |
| That is the sword’s delight.” | |
| Hurrah! | 10 |
| |
| Yes, good sword, I am free, | |
| And love thee heartily, | |
| And clasp thee to my side, | |
| E’en as the plighted bride. | |
| Hurrah! | 15 |
| |
| “And I to thee, by Heaven, | |
| My light steel life have given; | |
| When shall the knot be tied? | |
| When wilt thou take thy bride?” | |
| Hurrah! | 20 |
| |
| The trumpet’s solemn warning | |
| Shall hail the bridal morning, | |
| When cannon-thunders wake, | |
| Then my true-love I take. | |
| Hurrah! | 25 |
| |
| “O blessèd, blessèd meeting! | |
| My heart is wildly beating: | |
| Come, bridegroom, come for me; | |
| My garland waiteth thee.” | |
| Hurrah! | 30 |
| |
| Why in the scabbard rattle, | |
| So wild, so fierce for battle? | |
| What means this restless glow? | |
| My sword, why clatter so? | |
| Hurrah! | 35 |
| |
| “Well may thy prisoner rattle; | |
| My spirit yearns for battle. | |
| Rider, ’t is war’s wild glow | |
| That makes me tremble so.” | |
| Hurrah! | 40 |
| |
| Stay in thy chamber near, | |
| My love; what wilt thou here? | |
| Still in thy chamber bide; | |
| Soon, soon I take my bride. | |
| Hurrah! | 45 |
| |
| “Let me not longer wait: | |
| Love’s garden blooms in state, | |
| With roses bloody-red, | |
| And many a bright death-bed.” | |
| Hurrah! | 50 |
| |
| Now, then, come forth, my bride! | |
| Come forth, thou rider’s pride! | |
| Come out, my good sword, come! | |
| Forth to thy father’s home! | |
| Hurrah! | 55 |
| |
| “O, in the field to prance | |
| The glorious wedding dance! | |
| How, in the sun’s bright beams, | |
| Bride-like the clear steel gleams!” | |
| Hurrah! | 60 |
| |
| Then forward, valiant fighters! | |
| And forward, German riders! | |
| And when the heart grows cold, | |
| Let each his love infold. | |
| Hurrah! | 65 |
| |
| Once on the left it hung, | |
| And stolen glances flung; | |
| Now clearly on your right | |
| Doth God each fond bride plight. | |
| Hurrah! | 70 |
| |
| Then let your hot lips feel | |
| That virgin cheek of steel; | |
| One kiss,—and woe betide | |
| Him who forsakes the bride. | |
| Hurrah! | 75 |
| |
| Now let the loved one sing; | |
| Now let the clear blade ring, | |
| Till the bright sparks shall fly, | |
| Heralds of victory! | |
| Hurrah! | 80 |
| |
| For, hark! the trumpet’s warning | |
| Proclaims the marriage morning; | |
| It dawns in festal pride; | |
| Hurrah, thou Iron Bride! | |
| Hurrah! | 85 |
| |
