Part 23 (2/2)

Till they scamper one and all!

Prince Eugenius on the right wing, Like a lion there was fighting, As general and field-marshal.

Prince Ludwig rode to and fro then, ”On, be brave, ye German brethren, Strike the foe with dauntless hands!”

Prince Ludwig he must surrender His spirit and his life so tender, For a bullet struck him down; Prince Eugene was sorely grieved Of such friend to be bereaved, And had him brought to Peterwardein.

The Bauer, the Handworker, the Sportsman, in short, each and all have their peculiar songs in abundance, which are never out of their mouths.

Do all Germans then sing, and sing they everywhere? some one may ask.

No, don't fear that you would actually be deafened with singing in Germany. The Bundestag,[32] when it holds its sitting; the Landtag,[33]

when it is in debate; the statesman in the business of his office; the learned man writing his dissertation, and many other people, don't sing; in short, people do not sing in their solemn affairs, though the opera makes them do so. But amongst those who have nothing better to do, the little children who have yet no proper voices, or initiated ears for it, and the very old people who have partly sent their teeth before them into another world, are the only ones that don't sing. The young sing much, the care-free young still more; and the students perhaps most of all.

Singest thou not through all thy lifelong hours?

Yet in thy youth rejoice; We hear alone while lasts the moon of flowers The nightingale's sweet voice.

_Uhland_.

It is this also which gives heart to the student; and how can he who is called the son of the Muses, do otherwise than be obedient to his divine mother? The so-called Commers-Books contain a rich collection of songs, so that the student can be in no embarra.s.sment to find one suitable to the moment. He finds here a song adapted to every occasion, and to every mood of mind. Before all, social songs are in requisition when the students are a.s.sembled at their Kneip for a merry meeting.

As the larger a.s.semblies of this kind are called Commers, so the song-books are called the Commers-Books.

When a song is sung by a number of them in company, it is the duty of the Foxes to hand round these books. The popular songs live, however, without the books, permanently in the minds of the students. An individual student often sings a song solo. The greater portion of them are only what may be called natural singers; but in a large Ch.o.r.e this is not of much consequence. In most of the German schools a portion, but a very scanty portion of instruction in singing is given, and this mainly with the object of preventing the people from too much disturbing the devotions of the congregations in the churches by their dissonance. By this, however, so much is gained, that every one who has afterwards neglected singing, yet still retains a notion of it. There is besides sure to be found amongst such a throng of students, no inconsiderable number, who possess a really fine voice, and which has, therefore, not been neglected. These are they who in the Kneips often execute a solo, or in the choral-songs undertake the solo part, and others endeavour, by the power and steadiness of their voices, to conceal the defects of those who sing with them. When, as often happens in summer, the company suffer their songs to float in the open air, and when the cups have not gone too diligently their round, it is then a genuine pleasure to listen to them. One of the most beautiful songs, and which is most frequently sung at the German universities, is this, in which the effect of the chorus is often strengthened by the accompaniment of instrumental music:--

COMMERS SONG.

From high Olympus comes our pleasures crowning, From thence our dream of youth was sent; Therefore trust brothers, spite of Envy's frowning, Who would our youthful joys prevent.

Solemnly sound ye the jubilant song.

Revelling brothers with beaker clang.

Deep in the sea of youthful pleasure drinking, Joy smiles and beckons from the sh.o.r.e; Till on some evening late the bright sun sinking, Delights us with its beams no more!

Solemnly, etc.

So long as pleaseth G.o.d, thus friends beloved, In gladness shall our life move on; And when, some day, the curtain is removed, We'll join our worthy fathers gone, Solemnly, etc.

Drink, brother, drink! thy loved one,--think upon her, She who thy youth's dream blesseth still; A glorious ”Ho!” now sound we to her honour, That through her every nerve shall thrill!

Solemnly, etc.

And of our brethren is there one departed-- By pale Death summoned in his bloom?

We weep, and wish him peace, all saddest hearted, Peace to our brother's silent tomb.

We weep and wish that peace may dwell In our dear brother's silent cell.

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