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Die Mutter blickt den Jüngling an, Im Aug' die Thrän' ihr brennt: "Was Gott thut, das ist wohlgethan, Ob auch sein Will' uns trennt! Das Vaterland ruft dich vom Herd, Die Pflicht ruft, thu' sie recht! So, gürt' dir um des Vaters Schwert, Und Gott beschirm' das Recht!" "Küß' segnend mir die Stirn', so heiß, Und nun kein Seufzen mehr: Wie sehr du mich auch liebst, ich weiß, Noch mehr liebst du die Ehr'. Der Herr, der mich zum Kampf begehrt, Er schützt auch mein Geschlecht. So, gürt' mir um des Vaters Schwert, Und Gott beschirm' das Recht!" Ein Druck, ein Kuß, er zog hinaus, Mit hohem Mut gestählt: Der Erste stets im blut'gen Strauß, Mit Wunden ungezählt; Doch fest, doch fest stand er und unentehrt, Der Pflicht ein treuer Knecht: Der Mutter Fleh'n, des Vaters Schwert Und Gott beschützt das Recht!
Text Authorship:
- by Ludwig Liebe (1819 - 1900), "Des Kriegers Rüstung"
Based on:
- a text in English by Georgina E. Johnstone ( flourished 1870-1890 ) [text unavailable]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Ludwig Liebe (1819 - 1900), "Des Kriegers Rüstung", op. 79 (Zwei Lieder für eine Singstimme mit Pianoforte) no. 1, published 1880 [ voice and piano ], Regensburg: Alfred Coppenrath [sung text checked 1 time]
- by Wilhelm Sturm (1842 - 1922), "Des Kriegers Rüstung", op. 27 no. 1, published 1880 [ ttbb chorus ], from Liederkreis. Zehn Gesänge für vierstimmigen Männerchor, no. 6, Biel: Kuhn [sung text not yet checked]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , "The soldier's armour", copyright © 2026, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this page: Sharon Krebs [Senior Associate Editor]
This text was added to the website: 2026-04-01
Line count: 24
Word count: 142
The mother gazes at the youth, Tears burning in her eyes: "What God does, is done well, Though His will separates us! Your homeland calls you from our hearth, Duty calls, do your duty well! Therefore, gird yourself with your father's sword, And may God protect the right!" "In blessing kiss my burning brow, And no more sighing now: However much you may love me, I know That you love honour more. The Lord, who wishes me to go to battle, He shall protect my people, too. Therefore, gird me with my father's sword, And may God protect the right!" An embrace, a kiss, he betook himself off, Steeled by lofty courage: Always foremost in the bloody fight, Wounded innumerable times; But firmly, but firmly he stood and not dishonoured, A loyal servant to duty: The mother's prayer, the father's sword And God protects the right!
Text Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2026 by Sharon Krebs, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
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Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Ludwig Liebe (1819 - 1900), "Des Kriegers Rüstung"
Based on:
- a text in English by Georgina E. Johnstone ( flourished 1870-1890 ) [text unavailable]
This text was added to the website: 2026-04-01
Line count: 24
Word count: 146