Die Trommel [English translation]

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"