| Wir sind des Geyers schwarzer Haufen | |
| Alt: | We are the Geyers Black Company |
| Type: | song |
| Language: | German |
| Written: | 1920 |
| Genre: | German Folk Music |
| Composer: | Fritz Sotke |
Wir sind des Geyers schwarzer Haufen is an interwar-era German marching song. Composed around the 1920s, the lyrics of the song are sourced from the poem Ich bin der arme Konrad[1] by the Bavarian poet and artillery officer Heinrich von Reder (1824–1909). The melody of the song is arranged by German songwriter and later National Socialist[2] Fritz Sotke (1902–1970) in 1919.[3] As a song about the German Peasants' War, the song lyrics are noted for their strong anti-clerical and anti-noble themes.
The song's title (translates. "We are Geyer's Black Bunch") and lyrics are references to Florian Geyer (1490 – 10 June 1525) and his Black Company, a heavy cavalry unit which fought on the side of the Peasants during the German Peasants' War. Geyer's Black Company was notorious with his contemporaries for their destruction of cathedrals, castles, and summary executions of clerics and noblemen. The song's lyrics capitalise on this notoriety, with references to the actions of the Black Company: "German: Setzt aufs Klosterdach den Roten Hahn!" ("Raise the red rooster [flames] upon the Cloister Roof!").
As a song composed within the broader context of the Weimar Republic-era German Youth Movements, the song was sung by many different political groups across the political spectrum. The song is notable for its inclusion in both the official songbooks of the German Nazi Party, as well as the National People's Army of the German Democratic Republic.[4]
In the modern-day, Wir sind des Geyers schwarzer Haufen remains a popular song performed by various German music groups. Depending on the specific arrangement and performer, the lyrics of the song may be altered or weakened. Common substitutions include replacing the "Cloister Roof" with a simple "Knight's Roof", or even omitting certain lines entirely (e.g. "German: Des Edelmannes Töchterlein, heia hoho, soll heute uns’re Buhle sein").[5]
Notably, the antepenultimate line of the song's final stanza ("Unsre Enkel fechten's besser aus") is inscribed on a memorial commemorating the 1525 German Peasants' War and the 1945 German Land Reform, in Osterhausen near Eisleben, Saxony-Anhalt. The oath "Our grandchildren will fight a better fight," was seemingly fulfilled generations later, in the eyes of the memorial's designers.
Note that depending on the specific performer and arrangement, there may be differences in the lyrics.
| Spears Advance! Forward march | Raise the red flames upon the cloister roof! We want to complain to God in HeavenLord, have mercy | That we can't beat the priests to death,Lord, have mercy!Spears advance | Forward march!Raise the red flames upon the cloister roof | When Adam plowed and Eve spun,Lord, have mercy!Where was then the nobleman?Lord, have mercy | Spears advance! Forward march | Raise the red flames upon the cloister roof! Now we're 'gainst the fort, abbey, and church,Hiya ho ho | We keep no vows but the Holy ScriptHiya ho ho!Spears advance | Forward march!Raise the red flames upon the cloister roof | We're led by Florian Geyer,Despite being outlaws!The Bundschuh he carries upon his flagWears helmets and armor | Spears advance! Forward march | Raise the red flames upon the cloister roof! By Weinsberg we gave 'em fire and stench,Hiya ho ho | Many a man was put to the blade,Hiya ho ho!Spears advance | forward march!Raise the red flames upon the cloister roof | The nobleman's little daughter,Lord have mercy!We'll send her straight back to hell,Lord have mercy | Spears advance! Forward march | Raise the red flames upon the cloister roof! Beaten, we drag ourselves back homeHiya ho ho | Our grandchildren will fight a better fightHiya ho ho!Spears advance | Forward march,Raise the red flames upon the cloister roof! | ChorusSpearmen ho! Forward go | On the castle roof let the Red Cock crowSpearmen ho! Forward go | On the castle roof let the Red Cock crow When Adam dug and Eve did toilHeia o-hoNo princes trespassed on their soilHeia o-ho Bold Geyer's men their arrows shootThe knights are laid lowHis banner bears a peasant's bootTo stamp out the foe The noble's only God is prideHeia o-hoThe Holy Scripture is our guideHeia o-ho We're beaten though our cause is rightHeia o-hoOur sons will carry on the fightHeia o-ho |
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