We stood on the field
And we couldn't do anything about it1
Positioned in rank and file
There was no song upon our lips
Ach, I was still almost a child
I didn't muster up my courage
But as the drum started to call,
The noise2 got to me so deeply
I followed it's sound,
I didn't look back.
Because the drum calls so loud! (so loud)
Because the drum calls so loud! (so loud, so loud)
Because the drum calls so loud! (so loud, so loud)
I didn't look back!
Suddenly I stood on the field
I quickly forgot money and fame
I ran screaming over hedge and ditch3
Fear ran through my bone and marrow
Suddenly I was terrified,
I didn't look back.
Because the drum calls so loud! (so loud)
Because the drum calls so loud! (so loud, so loud)
Because the drum calls so loud! (so loud, so loud)
I didn't look back!
At night I often hear the sound,
The thunderous singing
And I lie awake in terror
I curse it a hundred times
Because the drum calls so loud! (so loud)
Because the drum calls so loud! (so loud, so loud)
Because the drum calls so loud! (so loud, so loud)
I didn't look back!
1. I translated it literally here, but the idea may be that "We didn't have a choice in the matter," hinting the warriors involved were draftees in some sense2. I didn't use the English possessive pronoun in some places where the German uses the possessive pronoun for stylistic reasons3. literally, "cross-country"