Folgt nicht der Trommel Ton [English translation]

With haunted hollow looks

many a thousand worries weighing me down

I hung around the whole wide world

perched on my crutches

I was a bold warrior

sung many a soldiers' tune

I had healthy limbs -

now I am invalid

I had healthy limbs -

now I am invalid

God knows, I suffered alot,

fought many a battle

combatted for the fatherland,

tasted the fumes of gunpowder

I stood in storm and rain,

in the dark of midnight,

with thunder and lightning

often solitary on watch

with thunder and lightning

often solitary on watch

[chorus:]

And I advise you all my brothers:

Don't follow the sound of the drum

and the trumpet's blast

or else you'll get my pay

I saw many a soldier dead

on both sides

I had to wait down below

when my master told me to

I was often threatened by cannons

with the most horrible death

I drank from many a puddle

and ate mouldy bread -

I drank from many a puddle

and ate mouldy bread

[chorus]

Now I am begging at the doorsteps

a poor and crippled man

Oh god, who will be moved

Who will take care of me?

Who will take care of me?

Who will take care of me?

[chorus]