The Soldier

Götz: Soldier

Kruspe: Soldier

The soldier is attacked by Death in front of a rock wall. He is caught between a rock and a hard place.

Kruspe's drawing (right) has many more details: The battle takes place on a ridge with a village and hilly landscape in the background. The soldier has thrown his rifle to the ground for close combat, Death is carrying a saber in his belt, but has instead chosen to attack the soldier with a large bone. Just like it happens to Holbein's soldier and in Doten Dantz mit figuren.

Der Tod zum Soldaten:
Marsch, Kammrad, auf zur Schlacht! die Ordnung ist gestellt,
Die Stücke stehn gepflanzt, frisch! schlag dich durch die Welt!
Erobre diese Gruft, bestürme Wall und Schanzen:
Wir müssen heute noch Viktoria schreien und tanzen.

Death to the Soldier:
March, Comrade, on to battle! The order is set,
the pieces are planted, fresh! Fight your way through the world!
Conquer this tomb, storm bulwarks and ramparts:
We must shout Victoria and dance even today.

Der Soldat:
Ist meine tapfre Faust vor deinem Grimm nicht frei?
Mein kühner Heldenmuth? mein Eisen und mein Blei?
Doch nein! der ich gewohnt zu kämpfen und zu siegen,
Muss jetzt von einem Hauch des Todes unterliegen.

The Soldier:
Is my brave fist not free from your wrath?
My bold heroism? my iron and my lead?
But no! I, who was accustomed to fight and conquer,
must now succumb to a breath of Death.