In [times of] trouble and darkness,
We had to hide [the flag] away!
But now we have freed it,
Freed it from its coffin!
Ha, how it flashes, flaps and rolls!
Hurrah, you black, you red, you gold!
      Gunpowder is black,
      Blood is red,
      Golden flickers the flame!

That is the old banner of the realm,
Those are the old colours!
Under those we hit and surely
Soon acquire fresh scars!
For only a beginning has been made,
The last battle is still before us!
      [Gunpowder is black,
      Blood is red,
      Golden flickers the flame!]1

Yes, you who stitched the banner,
You undaunted maidens,
While we were crouched over the fire
Casting bullets for our muskets:
Not only there where one dances and sings
May [the flag] be waved and planted! --
      Gunpowder is black,
      Blood is red,
      Golden flickers the flame!

For that is not yet the freedom
That must grace Germany,
When a city speaks in weapons
And behind barricades:
"Prince-Elector, give us [what we demand]! Otherwise -- watch out --
Otherwise we shall go over to the Grand Duke!"
      Gunpowder is black,
      Blood is red,
      Golden flickers the flame!

That is by far not yet freedom,
Undivided, complete [freedom],
When one breaks open the gate of an armoury
And takes a sword and a lance;
And then goes out and swings them for a bit,
And -- dutifully brings them back!
      Gunpowder is black,
      Blood is red,
      Golden flickers the flame!

That is by far not yet freedom,
When you wreak a smashing judgement
Upon Brockhaus's [window] glass
Because of a Dresden nose [i.e., spy]!
Of what concern is Sosius to you?
Forward: -- rocks and bullets should be directed at the castle!
      Gunpowder is black,
      Blood is red,
      Golden flickers the flame!

That is by far not yet freedom,
When instead of with bullets,
One fights with nothing else
But petitions!
Dear God:  petitioned!
Parliamentized, enlightened!
      [Gunpowder is black,
      Blood is red,
      Golden flickers the flame!]1

That is by far not yet freedom,
To take one's right as grace
From knaves, who only grudgingly submit
To right and duty because of fear!
[Freedom] is also not that you allow those whom you thoroughly hate
To remain upon their thrones!
      [Gunpowder is black,
      Blood is red,
      Golden flickers the flame!]1

Freedom is the nation,
Is all people's equal right to rule!
Freedom is the auctioning off
Of thirty prince's caps!
Freedom is the republic!
And again I say: the republic!
      [Gunpowder is black,
      Blood is red,
      Golden flickers the flame!]1

The one [unified] German republic,
You must still attain that!
Must conquer every rope and noose
With your three colours!
That is the last great fight --
Unfurl, you German banner, unfurl!
      Gunpowder is black,
      Blood is red,
      Golden flickers the flame!

To battle then, to battle now!
The battle [itself] gives me the benediction!
And if you [flag] return smoky and tattered
You shall be stitched anew!
That's right, isn't it, you German maidens?
Hurray, that will be a stitching!
      Gunpowder is black,
      Blood is red,
      Golden flickers the flame!

And he who thought up this poem for you
In one of these nights,
He wished that a musician
Would soon clothe it in notes!
He would be called a true musician!
Then it would ring out brightly through the German lands:
      Gunpowder is black,
      Blood is red,
      Golden flickers the flame!