Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes.
Germany: Vols. XVII–XVIII. 1876–79. | | | | Rhine, the River | | The Guard on the Rhine | | Max Schneckenburger (1819–1849) |
| | Anonymous translation
THERE comes a call like thunder’s peal, | |
| The breakers’ roar, the clank of steel; | |
| The Rhine! the Rhine! the glorious Rhine! | |
| Who will protect the river’s line? | |
| Dear Fatherland, be comfort thine, | 5 |
| Dear Fatherland, thou need’st not pine. | |
| Firm stands thy shield, the Guard, the Guard on the Rhine. | |
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| By hundred thousands forth they stream, | |
| Their eyes like flashing lightnings gleam, | |
| The German, honest, strong, and brave; | 10 |
| These will the sacred landmark save, | |
| Dear Fatherland, etc. | |
| |
| To heaven they raised their gleaming eyes, | |
| The heroes saw them from their skies, | |
| And swore, with yearning for the strife, | 15 |
| “Dear is the free Rhine as our life!” | |
| Dear Fatherland, etc. | |
| |
| Loud rings the oath, the waters flow, | |
| In the free breeze the banners blow; | |
| The Rhine! the Rhine! unfettered Rhine! | 20 |
| All Germany will guard its line. | |
| Dear Fatherland, etc. | | | | |
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