The Watch on the Rhine

A voice resounds like thunder peal,

'Mid dashing waves and clang of steel,—

"The Rhine! the Rhine! the German Rhine!

Who guards today thy 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.

And though in death our hopes decay,

The Rhine will own no foreign sway;

For rich with water as its flood

Is Germany with hero blood.

Dear Fatherland! No danger thine:

Firm stand thy sons to watch the Rhine

From yon blue sky are bending now,

The hero dead who hear our vow:

"As long as German hearts are free

The Rhine, the Rhine, shall German be."

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's hand,

No foe shall tread thy sacred strand."

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.