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Ernst Moritz Arndt, "The German Fatherland" (1813)

Born and raised on the island of Rügen, then part of Sweden, the poet, writer, and nationalist publicist Ernst Moritz Arndt (1769-1860) studied history and theology. In 1801, he accepted a teaching position at the university in Greifswald. When the French invaded in 1806, Arndt was forced into Swedish exile on account of his ardent opposition to Napoleon. In 1820, Arndt’s liberal views got him suspended from a professorship in Bonn; he was reinstated in 1840. In 1848, Arndt was elected to the Frankfurt National Assembly. He called for a fervent, patriotic German nation-state that would include all German speakers.

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"The German Fatherland" (1813)


Which is the German’s fatherland?
Is’t Prussia’s or Swabia’s land?
Is’t where the Rhine’s rich vintage streams?
Or where the Northern sea-gull screams?—
Ah, no, no, no!
His fatherland’s not bounded so!

Which is the German’s fatherland?
Bavaria’s or Styria’s land?
Is’t where the Marsian ox unbends?
Or where the Marksman iron rends?—
Ah, no, no, no!
His fatherland’s not bounded so.

Which is the German’s fatherland?
Pomerania’s, or Westphalia’s land?
Is it where sweep the Dunian waves?
Or where the thundering Danube raves?—
Ah, no, no, no!
His fatherland’s not bounded so!

Which is the German’s fatherland?
O, tell me now the famous land!
Is’t Tyrol, or the land of Tell?
Such lands and people please me well.—
Ah, no, no, no!
His fatherland’s not bounded so!

Which is the German’s fatherland?
Come, tell me now the famous land.
Doubtless, it is the Austrian state,
In honors and in triumphs great.—
Ah, no, no, no!
His fatherland’s not bounded so!

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