O König von Preußen [English translation]

(REF:)

Oh King of Prussia

You mighty man

I've had it with your service

I'm fed up unto here

What shall we do

In this valley of tears

There's nothing to be had

But poverty and agony

Upon the arrival of spring

The great heat kicks in

And we have to exercize

Til the sweat's soaking our backs

And we have to exercize

From daybreak unto Noon

And our cursed lives

We carry through the entire day

And when the drill is over

We go back and stand watch

Nobody even raises the question

Wether we had to eat or not

No brandy in our wineskins

And no white bread to chew

Just smoking bad tabacco

That's how we bide our time

(REF)

And if we hear a brisk "Attention !"

And we make one wrong move

Already we hear yelling

"That guy must clear the ranks !"

We have to drop the ammo pouch

And put the saber aside

And they beat us with zeal

Til we can't move a limb

Dear Sirs, don't b astonished

When one goes and deserts

We're being just like dogs

With beatings strained and worn out

And if they drag us back again

They won't hang us by the neck

Martial law is being announced

"This one has to run the gauntlet !"

(REF)

And when we run the gauntlet

They treat us to some music

With trombone and trumpet

And everybody's at it

Then we will get beaten

From many a musketeer

Some folks they have compassion

Some others think we earned it

And finally when we're old

Where should we turn

We've lost our health

And our Strength has left us too

And finally we'll be told

Like a bird without a nest

Go grampa take your knapsack

You've been a soldier too !

(REF)