Schwertlied
"Schwertlied" ("Sword Song")[1] is a poem by Theodor Körner, written shortly before his death in battle on 26 August 1813.
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".
Therein, Körner describes the relationship between a soldier and his sword as if the weapon were his bride thirsting for blood.
Du Schwerdt an meiner Linken, Was soll dein heitres Blinken?
„Mich trägt ein wackrer Reiter, Drum blink ich auch so heiter, Bin freien Mannes Wehr, Das freut dem Schwerdte sehr.“ Hurrah!
„Dir hab' ich's ja ergeben, Mein lichtes Eisenleben, Ach, wären wir getraut!
Du Bräut'gam hohle mich, Mein Kränzchen bleibt für dich,“ Hurrah!
Wie glänzt im Sonnenstrahl So bräutlich hell der Stahl!“ Hurrah!
Wird euch das Herz nicht warm, Nehmt's Liebchen in den Arm.
Drum drückt den liebeheißen, Bräutlichen Mund von Eisen, An eure Lippen fest.
Nun laßt das Liebchen singen, Daß helle Funken springen, Der Hochzeitsmorgen graut – Hurrah, du Eisenbraut!
Thou sword at my left side, What means thy flash of pride?
"I grace a warrior's side, And hence my flash of pride; What rapture thus to be The guardian of the free!"
Good sword, yes, I am free, And fondly I love thee, As wert thou, at my side, My sweet affianced bride.
The clanging trumpets betray The blushing bridal day; When cannons far and wide Shall roar, I'll fetch my bride.
To love's fair fields away, Where blood-red roses blow, And death blooms round us so!"
Where golden sunbeams dance, How in the nuptial reel Will gleam the bridal steel!"
At first she did but cast A stolen glance; at last Hath truly God allied The right hand to the bride.
Then press with fervent zeal The bridal lips of steel To thine; and woe betide Him who deserts his bride!
The poem was set to music by Carl Maria von Weber in 1814 (op.
[6] Franz Schubert set the poem as a part-song (or cantata) for voice, unison choir and piano, on 12 March 1815 (D 170).
