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C.D. Warner, et al., comp. The Library of the World’s Best Literature.
An Anthology in Thirty Volumes. 1917.

Prayer during the Battle

By Karl Theodor Körner (1791–1813)

Translation of John Stuart Blackie

FATHER, I call on thee!

Clouds from the thunder-voiced cannon enveil me,

Lightnings are flashing, death’s thick darts assail me:

Ruler of battles, I call on thee!

Father, oh, lead thou me!

Father, oh, lead thou me!

Lead me to victory, or to death lead me;

With joy I accept what thou hast decreed me.

God, as thou wilt, so lead thou me!

God, I acknowledge thee!

God, I acknowledge thee!

Where, in still autumn, the sear leaf is falling,

Where peals the battle, its thunder appalling:

Fount of all grace, I acknowledge thee!

Father, oh, bless thou me!

Father, oh, bless thou me!

Into thy hand my soul I resign, Lord;

Deal as thou wilt with the life that is thine, Lord.

Living or dying, oh, bless thou me!

Father, I praise thy name!

Father, I praise thy name!

Not for earth’s wealth or dominion contend we;

The holiest rights of the freeman defend we.

Victor or vanquished, praise I thee!

God, in thy name I trust!

God, in thy name I trust!

When in loud thunder my death-note is knelling,

When from my veins the red blood is welling,

God, in thy holy name I trust!

Father, I call on thee!