Who’s angry with you, Helvetia?
And mocks you and threatens you?
Wohlauf, wohlan, wir Schweizer stand
And offer battle and death.
Who dares, who threatens with flame and sword
to destroy our silent hearth?
Tremble not, Helvetia,
we, your sons, are still here.
And mocks you and threatens you?
Wohlauf, wohlan, wir Schweizer stand
And offer battle and death.
Who dares, who threatens with flame and sword
to destroy our silent hearth?
Tremble not, Helvetia,
we, your sons, are still here.
Come hither, and test our sword;
We are the grandchildren of Tell;
We are worthy of the great ancestors;
In the turmoil of bright battle.
Who trembles, where freedom is enthroned!
We are unaccustomed to chains;
We do not yield, we remain here –
Blessed be Helvetia!
Come hither to our rock wall;
God’s hand built it;
There we spar, we Swiss all
For our fatherland!
For freedom, woman, child and land;
Let us spray the best of blood –
Therefore do not tremble, Helvetia,
We, your sons, are still here.
God’s hand built it;
There we spar, we Swiss all
For our fatherland!
For freedom, woman, child and land;
Let us spray the best of blood –
Therefore do not tremble, Helvetia,
We, your sons, are still here.
You, our fathers spirits, hear
Your grandson’s sacred oath –
Yes, brothers, Swiss brothers, swear:
Victory, or death only!
Death is sweet for the fatherland,
It comes, led by God’s hand –
Even dying, the Swiss calls:
Blessed be Helvetia!
(Heinrich Zschokke)