Die Wacht am Rhein; the song that fired 10 million hearts

Die Wacht am Rhein
by Rudi Weiß 1./IR23, edited by Dr. Donald Crosby

Many new Rekruten may not realize it, but the marching song Die Wacht am Rhein is THE “anthem” of IR23. If you learn but one song in WWI, make it this one (and anyway, once you learn one song, others will follow).

Next time you’re watching All Quiet on the Western Front (the good one, not the John-Boy edition) listen closely during the scene where the boys quit school to join the Army, they’re singing Die Wacht am Rhein—cool huh?

Written in November 1840 by Max Schneckenburg, Die Wacht am Rhein praises the Rhein River as a protector of Germany -- a job it has done for thousands of years. Unlike the Deutschlandlied (often called Deutschland über Alles), which speaks of Germany having borders which no longer exist (von der Maas bis an die Memel, von der Etsch bis an den Belt…), Die Wacht am Rhein evokes powerful emotions amongst Germans by using the imagery of the Rhein River.

Die Wacht am Rhein almost became the national anthem of Germany—contrary to popular belief, the Deutschlandlied hasn’t always been the national anthem of Germany. Before and during WWI, the national anthem used was Prussia’s Heil dir im Siegerkranz (Hail thou in the Victor’s Wreath), a tune done to England’s God Save the King. After WWI and the change in government, a new anthem was needed and it came down to two finalists—Deutschlandlied and Die Wacht am Rhein (very often called the “Second National Anthem” of Germany). Deutschlandlied was chosen in 1922, but Die Wacht am Rhein was a close second and remained quite popular long after.

In my searches, I have found a 1914 recording of Die Wacht am Rhein. It comes on a double CD from Brandenburg Historica www.brandenburghistorica.com called Der Vaterland ruft! It’s great to hear this song as it was intended, being sung by “wild and undomesticated” Germans -- I highly recommend it. Maybe we’ll even get a CD made to go with the songbook?!? Anyway, learn this song, it’ll add depth to your impression and it’s fun!

1. Es braust ein Ruf wie Donnerhall,.....................The cry resounds like thunder's crash,
wie Schwertgeklirr und Wogenprall.......................Like ringing swords and waves that clash:
Zum Rhein, zum Rhein, zum deutschen Rhein!........The Rhine, the Rhine, go to our Rhine,
Wer will des Stromes Hüter sein?.........................Who'll guard our River, hold the line?
Lieb Vaterland, magst ruhig sein,.........................Land of our fathers, have no fear,
lieb Vaterland, magst ruhig sein;..........................Land of our fathers, have no fear,
fest steht und treu die Wacht,...........................Your watch is true, the line stands here.
die Wacht am Rhein!........................................The Watch on the Rhein
fest steht und treu die Wacht,...........................Your watch is true, the line stands here.
die Wacht am Rhein!........................................The Watch on the Rhein!

2. Durch hunderttausend zuckt es schnell,...........A hundred thousand hearts beat fast,
und aller Augen blitzen hell;...............................The eyes of all to you are cast,
Der Deutsche, bieder, fromm und stark,...............The German man, devout and strong.
Beschützt die heil'ge Landesmark........................Protects you, as he has so long.
Lieb Vaterland, u.s.w.   |: .................................Land of our fathers,…

3. Er blickt hinauf in Himmelsau'n,........................He casts his eyes to heaven's blue,
da Heldenväter niederschau'n.............................From where past heroes hold the view,
Und schwört mit stolzer Kampfeslust,...................And swears pugnaciously the oath,
Du Rhein, bleibst Deutsch wie meine Brust!...........You Rhine and I, stay German both.
Lieb Vaterland, u.s.w.    |:...................................Land of our fathers,…

4. So lang ein Tropfen Blut noch glüht,..................While still remains one breath of life,
noch eine Faust den Degen zieht,.........................While still one fist can draw a knife,
Und noch ein Arm die Büchse spannt.....................One gun still fired with one hand,
betritt kein Feind hier deinen Strand!.....................No foe will stand on this Rhine sand.
Lieb Vaterland, u.s.w.   |: ...................................Land of our fathers,…

5. Und ob mein Herz im Tode bricht,......................Should my heart this not survive this stand,
wirst du noch drum ein welscher nicht,...................You'll never fall in foreign hand
Reich, wie an Wasser deine Flut.............................Much, as your waters without end,
Ist Deutschland ja an Heldenblut!...........................Have we our heroes blood to spend.
|: Land of our fathers,…   |:............................Land of our fathers,…

6. Der Schwur erschallt, die Woge rinnt,.................The oath resounds, on rolls the wave,
die Fahnen flattern hoch im Wind!..........................The banners fly in wind. We'll save
Am Rhein! Am Rhein! am deutschen Rhein,................The Rhine, the Rhine, the German Rhine
Wir alle wollen Hüter sein!....................................Together we will hold the line.
Lieb Vaterland, u.s.w.   |:.....................................Land of our fathers,…

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