The watchman's song of Wartburg

Ring out, choir of trumpets,

so that in this star-bright night

God the Lord may hear this song of praise

from the high watchtower.

His hand guides the planets

over a sure course through time and space,

directs souls past the struggles

of this world to Eternity.

A century will melt away

and a new one will ascend;

Happy is he who, with pure thoughts,

keeps steadily on his course.

Even if steel and iron clatter,

a golden age will follow the age of bronze,

and for the salvation that was promised him,

Man will struggle on in battle.

Let everyone then busy himself cheerfully

with what is appropriate and proper,

in cowl or with weapons,

in the workshop as much as at the plough.

Thus, Lord, grant your benediction

on your castle, your mountain and plain,

sprinkle them at this change of centuries

in the dew of your grace.