The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries/Volume 5/Prayer During Battle
PRAYER DURING BATTLE[1] (1813)
Father, I call to thee.
The roaring artillery's clouds thicken round me,
The hiss and the glare of the loud bolts confound me.
Ruler of battles, I call on thee:
Father, lead thou me!
Father, lead thou me;
To victory, to death, dread Commander, guide me;
The dark valley brightens when thou art beside me;
Lord, as thou wilt, so lead thou me.
God, I acknowledge thee.
God, I acknowledge thee;
When the breeze through the dry leaves of autumn is moaning,
When the thunder-storm of battle is groaning,
Fount of mercy, in each I acknowledge thee.
Father, bless thou me!
Father, bless thou me;
I trust in thy mercy, whate 'er may befall me;
'Tis thy word that hath sent me; that word can recall me.
Living or dying, bless thou me!
Father, I honor thee.
Father, I honor thee;
Not for earth's hoards or honors we here are contending;
All that is holy our swords are defending;
Then falling, and conquering, I honor thee.
God, I repose in thee.
God, I repose in thee;
When the thunders of death my soul are greeting,
When the gashed veins bleed, and the life is fleeting,
In thee, my God, I repose in thee.
Father, I call on thee.
- ↑ Translator: C. T. Brooks.