Mudcat's Index threads include "The Spirit of The Nation", which has James Clarence Mangan's "A Highway for Freedom." This is in turn a translation of "Der Freiheit eine Gasse!" by Georg Herwegh. This thread will provide both the English and the original German. Mangan was much taken with Herwegh, and perhaps this thread would be a good place to post translations of other Herwegh poems. This one, for those who don't recognize the above songbook, was printed in "The Nation" in 19th-century Ireland.

A HIGHWAY FOR FREEDOM.

by Clarence Mangan.

Air: "Boyne Water."

"My suffering country SHALL be freed,
And shine with tenfold glory!"
So spake the gallant Winkelried,
Renowned in German story.
"No tyrant, even of kingly grade,
Shall cross or darken my way!"
Out flashed his blade, and so he made
For Freedom's course a highway!

We want a man like this, with power
To rouse the world by one word;
We want a Chief to meet the hour,
And march the masses onward.
But Chief or none, through blood and fire,
My Fatherland lies thy way!
The men must fight who dare desire
For Freedom's course a highway!      

Alas! I can but idly gaze
Around in grief and wonder;
The People's will alone can raise
The People's shout of thunder.
Too long, my friends, you faint for fear
In secret crypt and bye-way;
At last be Men! Stand forth, and clear
For Freedom's course a highway!

You intersect wood, lea, and lawn,
With roads for monster wagons,
Wherein you speed like lightning, drawn
By fiery iron dragons.
So do! Such work is good, no doubt;
But why not seek some nigh way
For Mind as well? Path also out
For Freedom's course a highway!

Yes! up! and let your weapons be
Sharp steel and self-reliance!
Why waste your burning energy
In void and vain defiance,
And phrases fierce but fugitive?
'Tis deeds, not words, that I weigh --
Your swords and guns alone can give
To Freedom's course a highway!

pages 321 - 322,
The Spirit of The Nation
Dublin: James Duffy, 1845