Das Rheinlied

1. Sie sollen ihn nicht haben,
Den freien deutschen Rhein,
Ob sie wie gier'ge Raben
Sich heiser danach schrein,

1. They shall not have him,
The free German Rhine,
Even if they cry like avaricious ravens
Until their voices are hoarse,

2. Solang' er, ruhig wallend,
Sein grünes Kleid noch trägt,
Solang', ein Ruder schallend,
In seine Wogen schlägt.

2. As long as he, flowing calmly,
Is of green colour,
As long as rudders sound
On his waves.

3. Sie sollen ihn nicht,
Den freien deutschen Rhein,
Solang' sich Herzen laben
An seinem Feuerwein;

3. They shall not have him,
The free German Rhine,
As long as hearts refresh themselves
With his fiery wine;

4. Solang' in seinem Strome
Noch fest die Felsen stehn,
So lang' sich hohe Dome
In seinem Spiegel sehn.

4. As long as rocks
Stand firm in his current,
As long as big cathedrals
Are mirrored in his waves.

5. Sie sollen ihn nicht haben,
Den freien deutschen Rhein,
So lang' dort kühne Knaben
Um schlanke Dirnen frein;

5. They shall not have him,
The free German Rhine,
As long as bold boys
Court beautiful girls;

6. Solang' die Flosse hebet
Ein Fisch in seinem Grund,
Solang' ein Lied noch lebet
In seiner Sänger Mund!

6. As long as fish
Swim in his floods,
As long as poets
Write songs about him!

7. Sie sollen ihn nicht haben,
Den freien deutschen Rhein,
Bis seine Flut begraben
Des letzten Manns Gebein.

7. They shall not have him,
The free German Rhine,
Until his flood has covered
The last man's bones.