"Die Eisenfaust am Lanzenschaft" ("The iron fist on the lance shaft") is a song about the Teutonic Knights of Santa Maria, one of the three major Chivalry Orders of Christendom, founded in Jerusalem at the time of the 2nd Crusade. It was the first Chivalry Order to be dedicated to Our Lady. Later, the Pope transferred the Order to Germany to fight pagans in northeastern Europe, granting its knights the same indulgences of the Crusaders.
The lyrics speaks of the awe-inspiring bravery of those knights who fought in defense of Christendom. Their swords glimmer as they ride proud and true under the banner of the
Cross.
Composed by Robert Götz and Willi Nufer in 1921, it is interpreted here by the Schlesische Jugend (Silesian Youth).
Listen to Die Eisenfaust am Lanzenschaft
Lyrics:
Die Eisenfaust am Lanzenschaft,
Die Zügel in der Linken,
So sprengt des Reiches Ritterschaft,
Und ihre Schwerter blinken.
Heja, heja, heja! Heja,
Und ihre Schwerter blinken.
Heja, heja, heja! Heja,
Und ihre Schwerter blinken.
Das Balkenkreuz, das schwarze, fliegt
Voran auf weißem Grunde:
Verloren zwar, doch unbesiegt.
So klingt uns seine Kunde.
Heja, heja, heja! Heja!
So klingt uns seine Kunde.
Heja, heja, heja! Heja!
So klingt uns seine Kunde.
Es flattert hell im Morgenwind,
Und grüßt die Grenzenlande,
Grüßt die, die uns're Brüder sind,
Trotz Schmach und Not und Schande.
Heja, heja, heja! Heja!
Trotz Schmach und Not und Schande.
Heja, heja, heja! Heja!
Trotz Schmach und Not und Schande.
Es fliegt voraus im Ritterkleid,
Und mahnet uns zu streiten,
Für die verlor’ne Herrlichkeit,
Drum Wimpel flieg, wir reiten.
Heja, heja, heja! Heja!
Drum Wimpel flieg, wir reiten.
Heja, heja, heja! Heja!
Drum Wimpel flieg, wir reiten.
English translation:
The iron fist on the lance shaft,
The reins on the left,
That’s how the Empire’s knighthood advances,
And their swords are flashing,
Heja, heja, heja! Heja!
And their swords are flashing.
Heja, heja, heja! Heja!
And their swords are flashing.
The cross pattee, in black it flies,
Forward on a white background,
Lost but undefeated,
That’s how it announces its message.
Heja, heja, heja! Heja!
That’s how it announces its message.
Heja, heja, heja! Heja!
That’s how it announces its message.
It flutters bright in the morning breeze,
And greets the borderlands,
Greets those who are our brethren,
In spite of humiliation and shame.
Heja, heja, heja! Heja!
In spite of humiliation and shame.
Heja, heja, heja! Heja!
In spite of humiliation and shame.
It flies ahead in knight’s dress,
And encourages us to fight,
For the lost glory,
Therefore, fly pennants, we ride.
Heja, heja, heja! Heja!
Therefore, fly pennants, we ride.
Heja, heja, heja! Heja!
Therefore, fly pennants, we ride.
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