Und bist du klein, mein Vaterland
See original
Language: German (Deutsch)
Und bist du klein, mein Vaterland,
Ist schön doch keins wie du,
Wenn Morgens ob den grünen Strand
Aufblitzt am See die Fluh.
Und keines blieb von Alters her
Wie du so frei, so frei,
Frei wie die Ros' am Gletschermeer
Und ob der Firn der Weih!
Und bist du klein, mein Vaterland,
Getrost nur immer zu!
Zum Walle schuf mit gnädger Hand
Gott selbst dir Fluh an Flu',
Und schaut herab so väterlich
Und bleibt dein Schild und Lohn,
Und schirmet dich und rettet dich
Wie einst von seinem Thron!
Sei einig nur, mein Vaterland!
Ist klein auch keins wie du!
Hellfreudig bis zum fernsten Strand
Verkündet Firn' und Fluh:
Frei bleibst du wie von Alters her,
Noch lebt der Vater Gott!
Und dräut ein Feind wie Sand am Meer,
Sein Wink macht ihn zu Spott!
Composition:
Set to music by Eduard Tauwitz (1812 - 1894), "Und bist du klein, mein Vaterland", op. 88 no. 2, published 1872 [ mixed chorus ], Zürich: Selbstverlag des Herausgebers
Text Authorship:
See other settings of this text.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , "And though you are small, my homeland", copyright © 2025, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Research team for this page: Sharon Krebs
[Senior Associate Editor], Melanie Trumbull
This text was added to the website: 2017-10-12
Line count: 24
Word count: 140
Language: English  after the German (Deutsch)
And though you are small, my homeland,
There is no land as fair as you,
When in the morning about the green shore
Of the lake the rock face sparkles.
And no land from ancient times
Remained as free, as free as you,
Free as the rose on the edge of the glacier
And, above the old snow, the kite!
And though you are small, my homeland,
Only remain confident always!
God Himself with merciful hand created
Rock face beside rock face as a rampart for you.
And gazes down so like a father
And remains your shield and reward,
And protects you and rescues you
From His throne, as He did in the past!
Only be united, my homeland!
Though no land be as small as you are!
Brightly joyous to the most distant shore,
The old snow and the rock faces proclaim it:
You shall remain free as of old,
God the father still lives!
And though your threatening enemies may be like the sands by the sea,
A sign from Him makes a mockery of them!
Text Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2025 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:
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This text was added to the website: 2025-02-20
Line count: 24
Word count: 183