Heavy and dank,
A thunder cloud,
The soldiers swing and march across the green plain.
They are going to a wild iron game of dice
And the field stretches further than the eye can see.
They turn their crawling glances downwards,
Men's hearts beat against their ribs
Passing the hollowed out deadly faces 
The major chases down to the front line: 
Stop!
And the inflexible command shackles regiments.

    The front line stands without a murmur.

Majestic in the glowing red of dawn
What is it that is flashing there from the mountains?
Can you see the enemy's flags flying?
We can see the enemy's flags flying,
God be with you, your wives and children!
Be cheerful! Can you hear the song?
A drum beat and the sound of piping
Are bellowing out through the limbs - 
It is roaring out with a beautiful wild beat!
And it is roaring into the very marrow of the bone.

  It is in God's hands, brothers!
  See you again in another world!

Now they are flying off like lightning,
The thunder is already rumbling over there.
Eyes twitch, here there is a loud crash,
The battle-cry goes up from each battalion,
It is uttered in the name of God,
Already the breast is breathing more freely.

  Death has been let loose - the battle is already being waged;
  Iron in the cloudy powder smoke,
  The dice are cast with an iron will.

The troops embrace each other tightly.
Ready! The cry goes up from platoon to platoon;
Thrown onto their knees
The ones at the front fire, many no longer stand up,
Holes are made by strafing cartridges,
The man behind jumps onto the carcass of the man in front,
There is devastation right and left and on and on,
Death rolls whole battalions down.

  The sun goes out - the slaughter burns hot,
  Black night settles down on the army.
  It is in God's hands, brothers! 
  See you again in another world!

A fountain of blood spurts high up to necks,
The living swap with the dead, the foot
Trips over dead bodies - 
"You as well, Franz?", "Say hello to my Lotty, mate!"
The fight becomes even more savage.
"I'll say hello" - God! Comrades! look
How the cartridges are springing up behind us!
"I'll say hello to your Lotty, mate!
Sleep softly! Where the cannons are
Spitting with more warmth, that's where I am going to jump in now I have been left to it."

  This way and that the battle surges,
  Ever darker the night  settles down on the army,
  It is in God's hands, brothers!
  See you again in another world!

Listen! What is that galloping past?
The adjutants are flying:
Dragoons are rattling into the enemy,
And their thunder has stopped.
Victory, brothers!
Terror pulls at their cowardly limbs
And their flags are falling!

The fiery battle has been decided,
Conquering day peers into the night!
Listen! A drum beat and the sound of piping
Are already giving voice to a song of triumph!
Farewell, you beloved brothers!
See you again in another world!