Only the one who has long missed
freedom can enjoy its cheer,
if he knows to delight in it,
twice he’ll value it as dear.
Those that suffered in bondage, some
in the gloomy dungeon’s seat,
honor first the joy of freedom,
it’s now tasting doubly sweet.
Those greeted by the sun in wait
after darkened dungeon years,
they mean to head to heaven straight,
out of this night’s hellish fears,
They feel now risen from the grave
And now they live for life’s sake.
They’re free of chains, the gangs all braved,
No one more at which to quake.
Without fear and without jitter,
without evil tyranny
that only makes life more bitter,
feeling one is at last free.
Freedom is more than gold and goods,
Even more than daily bread,
So be then freedom’s guardian,
For he who’s not free, he’s – dead.
Literary translation: Samuel Haecker