Germany's eagle lies fettered
At the Baltic Sea, at the Belt Channel
It found a premature goal,
Its heart's blood flows from deep wounds
The hero twitches as in death-throes.

Grimly the jailor from the sound
Bares his sharp teeth;
Lying down like the hyena of the sea,
The Dane maliciously skulks
Before the free mouths of the rivers.

German eagle, shall you hazard it?
Do you already spread your wings in readiness?
Shall [circumstances] carry you across
To capture victory and death?
[Have] patience only a little while yet!

Hark! in the oak forest already rings out
Courageously victorious the axe [of the enemy];
Glowing bronze sings in the fire,
Sounds of rejoicing penetrate the air,
The axe is already groaning at [your] quill-feathers.

Beat [your wings], sun-eagle, beat [them],
Beat your wings until they are raw!
The dawn of the day is already reddening,
[The day] that shall carry you - free - across
Over sea and through the sound.

Someday the righteous case
Shall not lack strong protection,
Your sails shall be swelled with vengenance,
You shall frighten off the bold watchmen,
You shall offer defiance to castles and crowns.

Sun-eagle, suffer courageously!
Rage quietly, German lion!
Retribution is nearing bloodily,
The German people arise boldly,
The German people so strong and true.