Ich hatt' einen Kameraden, br Einen bessern findst du nit. br Die Trommel schlug zum Streite, br Er ging an meiner Seite br In gleichem Schritt und Tritt. br br Eine Kugel kam geflogen: br Gilt's mir oder gilt es dir? br Ihn hat es weggerissen, br Er liegt vor meinen Füßen br Als wär's ein Stück von mir br br Will mir die Hand noch reichen, br Derweil ich eben lad'. br 'Kann dir die Hand nicht geben, br Bleib du im ew'gen Leben br Mein guter Kamerad! br br br I Had a Comrade br br In battle he was my comrade, br None better I have had. br The drum called us to fight, br He always on my right, br In step, through good and bad. br br A bullet it flew towards us, br For him or meant for me? br His life from mine it tore, br At my feet a piece of gore, br As if a part of me. br br His hand reached up to hold mine. br I must re-load my gun. br 'My friend, I cannot ease your pain, br In life eternal we'll meet again, br And walk once more as one.' br br Translated by Frank Petersohn br br br I Had a Comrade br br I had one faithful comrade br 'Ere we heard the trumpet's call, br And we pledged our hearts forever br In battle joined together br To beat the foe or fall. br br A musket shot came screaming br To seal his fate or mine br Right at my feet he stumbled, br And friendship's shrine it crumbled br Around that friend of mine. br br His hand is blindly seeking br The clasp I cannot give br For duty calls me onward br Farewell my dying comrade, br Our love shall ever live.