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Home  »  A Harvest of German Verse  »  Theodor Körner (1791–1813)

Margarete Münsterberg, ed., trans. A Harvest of German Verse. 1916.

By Father, I Call Thee!

Theodor Körner (1791–1813)

FATHER, I call Thee!

Smoke clouds enwrap me and cannons are crashing,

Round me the terrible lightnings are flashing.

Guide of all battles, I call Thee!

Father, oh guide me!

Father, oh guide me!

Guide me to victory and to death lead me:

Lord, Thy commandments I know and I heed Thee;

Lord, as Thou willest, so guide me!

My God, I heed Thee!

My God, I heed Thee!

Once amid murmur of leaves I could hear Thee,

Now in the thunder of war I am near Thee.

Fountain of mercy, I heed Thee.

Father, oh bless me!

Father, oh bless me!

Into Thy hand my life I surrender:

Thou hast bestowed it, so take it, Defender!

Living or dying, oh bless me!

Father, I praise Thee!

Father, I praise Thee!

Not for the goods of this earth we are fighting:

To guard the holiest, our swords are smiting.

Falling in triumph, I praise Thee.

My God, I trust Thee!

My God, I trust Thee!

When all the thunders of death are roaring,

When from my veins the blood is pouring:

My life, God, I trust to Thee!

Father, I call Thee!