A voice resounds like thunder-peal,
'Mid dashing waves and clang of steel:
The Rhine, the Rhine, the German Rhine!
Who guards to-day my stream divine?
Dear Fatherland, no danger thine;
Firm stand thy sons to watch the Rhine! They stand, a hundred thousand strong,
Quick to avenge their country's wrong;
With filial love their bosoms swell,
They'll guard the sacred landmark well!
Dear Fatherland, no danger thine;
Firm stand thy sons to watch the Rhine!
The dead of an heroic race
From heaven look down and meet this gaze;
He swears with dauntless heart, "O Rhine,
Be German as this breast of mine!"
Dear Fatherland, no danger thine;
Firm stand thy sons to watch the Rhine!
While flows one drop of German blood,
Or sword remains to guard thy flood,
While rifle rests in patriot hand,
No foe shall tread thy sacred strand!
Dear Fatherland, no danger thine;
Firm stand thy sons to watch the Rhine!
[And whether my heart in death does break,
French we will not let them you make,
Rich in water as is your flood,
So Germany is in heroes’ blood!]
Dear Fatherland, no danger thine;
Firm stand thy sons to watch the Rhine!
Our oath resounds, the river flows,
In golden light our banner glows;
Our hearts will guard thy stream divine:
The Rhine, the Rhine, the German Rhine!
Dear Fatherland, no danger thine;
Firm stand thy sons to watch the Rhine!
[So lead us on, you are well-proved;
Trusting in God, reach for the sword,
Hail Wilhelm! Down with the brood!
And redeem dishonor with enemy blood!]
Dear Fatherland, no danger thine;
Firm stand thy sons to watch the Rhine!
Source of English translation: Eva March Tappan, ed., The World's Story: A History of the World in Story, Song and Art, 14 vols., vol. 7, Germany, The Netherlands, and Switzerland. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1914, pp. 249-50.