Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE WATCHMAN'S SONG, by FRANZ EMANUEL GEIBEL


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE WATCHMAN'S SONG, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Awake -- awake! The cry rings out
Last Line: Kingdom, and power, and glory stay!
Subject(s): Germany - Revolution - 1848-1849


WAKE—awake! The cry rings out;
From the high watch-tower comes the shout.
Awake, imperial German land—
Ye by distant Danube dwelling,
And where the infant Rhine is swelling,
And where the bleak dunes pile their sand!
For hearth and home keep watch,
Sword from its scabbard snatch;
Every hour
For bitter fight
Prepare aright—
The day of combat is in sight!

Hear in the East the ominous cry
That tells a greedy foe draws nigh—
The vulture, thirsting for the strife.
Hear in the west the serpent's hiss
Whose siren-fangs are set for this,
To poison all your virtuous life.
Near is the vulture's swoop;
The serpent coils to stoop
For the stroke;
Then watch and pray
Until the day—
Your swords be sharpened for the fray!

Pure in life, in faith as strong,
Let no man do your courage wrong;
Be one, what time the trump shall sound.
Cleanse your souls by fervent prayer,
That so the Lord may find them fair
When He shall make His questioning round.
The Cross be still your pride,
Your banner and your guide
In the battle!
Who in the field
Their fealty yield
To God, victorious weapons wield.

Look Thou down from heaven above,
Thou Whom the angels praise and love—
Be gracious to our German land!
Speak from the clouds with thunder-voice;
Princes and people of Thy choice,
Unite them with a mighty hand.
Be Thou our fortress-tower,
Bring us through danger's hour.
Hallelujah!
Thine is today
And shall alway
Kingdom, and power, and glory stay!





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