I am a Soldier - Ich Bin Soldat

I am a soldier; I didn't want to be one
When I became one, I wasn't asked first
I just went off into the army barracks
I felt imprisoned, like a field dying of thirst.
Yes, I was taken from my humble living
From family, friends, the love that I desire
It still burns hard each night that I think of it
And my heart rages like a burning fire.

I am a soldier because I was just forced to
The uniform I wear, I find too rough.
I do not like to arm for my protection -
If you ask me, a stick would be enough.
Oh tell me why, why do you need such soldiers?
Doesn't every folk just want some love and peace?
Because of greed - that's why all these wars happen
The feet of Death stamps on our golden fields.

I am a soldier, every day I'm marching
I'm always as the watchguard over there.
I must salute each one of my dear comrades
E'en if sometimes, their behaviour's much to bear.
I'll fight a war I do not want to be in
I have to kill one who's done me no wrong.
And I'll come back with medals, wounds, and bruises,
And I'll just starve and lay sick all day long.

Ye brothers all from every clime and region
Lay down your weapons and spill no more blood
European, African, American, or Asian,
Let's build our peace! Let's strive for greater good.
Then let us join united all together
And break the chains of tyrant misery,
For only tyrants destroy the peace of peoples,
I'll be a soldier - who fights for liberty!


Песня «Ich bin Soldat» была написана около 1870 года и приписывается Максу Кегелю, одному из лидеров немецкого социалистического рабочего движения. Это народная песня, и она описывается как антивоенная. Мелодия песни взята из французской солдатской песни «Te souviens tu?» который говорит о воспоминаниях солдата в Наполеоновских войнах. Переведено на английский язык А. Э. фон Тейнфельденом в 2023 г.

*Этот автор не намерен разжигать политические настроения. Это только ради сохранения исторической музыки.*