Lyr Req: Der Hohenfriedberger

Subject: Der Hohenfriedberger
From: tweed
Date: 24 Mar 97 - 12:15 PM

Does anyone know the English translation for the German Song, Der Hohenfriedberger? It begins,"Auf Ansbach Dragonen, auf Ansbach, Bayreuth, etc."

Subject: Lyr Add: DER HOHENFRIEDBERGER
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 12 Jun 11 - 12:10 PM

From Wikipedia:

Original German lyrics:

1ST STANZA:
Auf, Ansbach-Dragoner!
Auf, Ansbach-Bayreuth!
Schnall um deinen Säbel
und rüste dich zum Streit!
Prinz Karl ist erschienen
auf Friedbergs Höh'n,
Sich das preußische Heer
mal anzusehen.

REFRAIN (2X):
Drum, Kinder, seid lustig
und allesamt bereit:
Auf, Ansbach-Dragoner!
Auf, Ansbach-Bayreuth!
Drum, Kinder, seid lustig
und allesamt bereit:
Auf, Ansbach-Dragoner!
Auf, Ansbach-Bayreuth!

2ND STANZA:
Hab'n Sie keine Angst,
Herr Oberst von Schwerin,
Ein preuß'scher Dragoner
tut niemals nicht fliehn!
Und stünd'n sie auch noch
so dicht auf Friedbergs Höh',
Wir reiten sie zusammen
wie Frühlingsschnee.
Ob Säbel, ob Kanon',
ob Kleingewehr uns dräut:

3RD STANZA:
Halt, Ansbach-Dragoner!
Halt, Ansbach-Bayreuth!
Wisch ab deinen Säbel
und laß vom Streit;
Denn ringsumher
auf Friedbergs Höh'n
Ist weit und breit
kein Feind mehr zu sehn.
Und ruft unser König,
zur Stelle sind wir heut':

Analogous translation in English:

1ST STANZA:
Up, Ansbach-Dragoons!
Up, Ansbach-Bayreuth!
Buckle on your sabre
and brace yourself for battle!
Prince Charles has appeared
on Friedberg's heights
to compare with the Prussian Army.


REFRAIN (2X):
So, youngsters, be jolly
and ready altogether.
To the Ansbach-Dragoons!
To the Ansbach-Bayreuth!
So, youngsters, be jolly
and ready altogether.
Up, Ansbach-Dragoons!
Up, Ansbach-Bayreuth!

2ND STANZA:
Have no worries,
Colonel von Schwerin,
A Prussian Dragoon
does not flee, never!
And they also stand
so close to Friedberg's height,
We ride together
like spring snow.
Whether saber, whether canon,
whether small arms, threaten us:

3RD STANZA:
Maintenance, Ansbach Dragoons!
Maintenance, Ansbach-Bayreuth!
Wipe your saber
and leave the battle;
For all around
on Friedberg's heights
Is far and wide
seen lots of our enemy
And calls our King,
to the place we are today:

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Der Hohenfriedberger
From: Reinhard
Date: 12 Jun 11 - 12:27 PM

Better would be

2ND STANZA:
Have no worries,
Colonel von Schwerin,
A Prussian Dragoon
does not flee, never!
And even if they'd stand
so close on Friedberg's height,
We'll ride them down
like spring snow.
Whether saber, whether canon,
whether small arms threaten us:

3RD STANZA:
Stop, Ansbach Dragoons!
Stop, Ansbach-Bayreuth!
Wipe your saber
and leave the battle;
For all around
on Friedberg's heights
There's far and wide
no enemy to be seen any more.
And when our King calls
to the fore we are today:

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Der Hohenfriedberger
From: GUEST,Grishka
Date: 12 Jun 11 - 01:38 PM

Note that the lyrics have been added in 1845, 100 years after the battle and 50 years after the music. They reflect the Neo-Prussian military way of speaking, to the point of (probably involuntary) self-parodism. In 1745 and 1795, people used to think and speak quite differently.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Der Hohenfriedberger
From: GUEST,susanne (skw) all at sea (on her way to Brit
Date: 13 Jun 11 - 10:32 AM

Thanks, Jim, and to Reinhard for his improvements. One small point: "Auf" in this context would mean "onward" rather than "up", to contrast with "Halt". Takes me back to mz childhood when I used to sing along to our turntable ...