Part 27 (2/2)
And love, it still follows, still gives him the hand, And makes him a home in that furthermost land.
--(That land).
Before each president lies a drawn sword, with which, as signal of command, he strikes upon the table. It is forbidden to every one, on pain of a beer-penalty, to interrupt the song in any manner whatever.
So now the singing and drinking go forward in regular course. At a later hour a supper is eaten, and the Commers is closed by the singing of ”The Landsfather,” after which there is no more singing, but it immediately becomes free to every one to stay and kneip on as long as he likes.
When ”The Landsfather” is to begin, the presidents command ”ad loca!”
Every one must quietly take his seat, and it is allowed to no one, as otherwise commonly happens at kneipings, to take off his coat, and sit in his s.h.i.+rt-sleeves. All must be conducted solemnly and seriously. All voices join in--
THE CONSECRATION SONG, OR LANDSFATHER.
Silence all ye, each one call ye Unto solemn tones his ear!
Hark, the song of songs I raise now, German brothers, join in praise now, Sound it, Sound it back a chorus clear!
Of your Fatherland the song; Fatherland! thou land so famous, Sacred to thy glory claim us;-- Germans proudly, swell ye loudly, We, our swords, to thee belong!
Life and living to thee giving, We are all prepared to bleed: Ready at each hour for dying, Death, with all his wounds defying, If our Fatherland it need.
He who feels not; he who zeals not, In true worth to be arrayed,-- He shall not our bond dishonour; This our Bride,[38] swear not upon her; Nor the German sword degrade.
Song the proudest, swell it loudest; Brave and German be we too; See the consecrated band here, As brave Burschen take your stand here, And the free-cap strike ye through.
See it gleaming, softly beaming, In my left this stain-free glave; Thus I strike the cap through, swearing, Honour bright for ever wearing, Still to be a Bursche brave!
During the singing of the preceding stanzas, the two presidents hold their swords across each other, each holding his sword in his left hand, and placing the fingers of the right on it, to ratify the oath; and this being done, they pierce their caps through, and leave them hanging on the swords. While they do this, all sing:
Thus thou strik'st the cap through, swearing, Honour bright for ever wearing,-- Still to be a Bursche brave!
Each president then sings thus to his next neighbour while he reaches him the cup:--
Drinker! swimming, bright o'erbr.i.m.m.i.n.g, Take this Fatherlandish cup!
The presidents give their swords each to their next neighbours. These, who sit opposite to each other, have risen from their seats, and now hold the swords which they have received from the presidents, crossed, over the table. The presidents continue their song:
Thy left hand the keen sword bearing, Boring through the cap, and swearing-- To thy country drink it up!
[Here they empty the cups.
The two who have drunk now sing,--
See it gleaming, softly beaming, In my left this stain-free glave!
All repeat--”See it gleaming, softly beaming,” etc.
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