Vaterlandslied (Arndt)

The Vaterlandslied (Song of the Fatherland) is a patriotic poem written by Ernst Moritz Arndt in 1812.

The song was written to denounce the fact that several German states fought on the side of Napoleon to the detriment of their own nation.

In 1812, the armies of the Confederation of the Rhine, Austria and Prussia participated in the French invasion of Russia.

Many patriots such as Baron von Stein and Ernst Moritz Arndt left Germany and got positions in the Russian state.

With the music of Albert Methfessel (1785–1869), Arndt's Vaterlandslied became very popular during the German campaign of 1813, and remained part of the canon of patriotic songs throughout the 19th and early 20th century.

So wollen wir was Gott gewollt Mit rechten Treuen halten Und nimmer im Tyrannensold Die Menschenschädel spalten; Doch wer für Tand und Schande ficht, Den hauen wir zu Scherben, Der soll im teutschen Lande nicht Mit teutschen Männern erben.

So ziehn wir aus zur Hermannsschlacht, Und wollen Rache haben.

Wir siegen oder sterben hier Den süßen Tod der Freien.

The god who made iron grow Did not want slaves; Therefore he gave sabre, sword and spear To man in his right hand; Therefore he gave him bold courage, The rage of free speech, So that he would prevail to the last drop of blood, Even unto death, in the struggle.