In a land of poets, thinkers too,
Where words resound, both deep and true,
Where spirits shine, with gleaming hue,
In Weimar, Heidelberg and Rhine anew.
Where forests whisper, rivers glide,
From Alpine heights to the sea’s side,
Where cities grow, where markets bide,
And bridges grace the Spree with pride.

But beneath all the glitz and striving,
A shadow grows, cold and conniving,
A poison seeks our hearts depriving,
A hate that sets divisions thriving.
The stranger, who as guest has come,
With hopeful gaze and weary thumb,
Feels the unwelcome, harsh and numb,
The chilly breath that words become.

Where once diversity was hailed,
Where neighborly strength always prevailed,
Now fear and anger have assailed,
A ghost that in the streets has wailed.
Remember we, what we once were,
A land being built by hands together,
Through hospitality, we once were sure,
In brotherhood, a bond to weather.

Let us raise our voices high,
Against the hate that seeks to pry,
For a united life to vie,
For humanity and a hopeful sky.
For Germany is not hate and split,
Not fear and enmity’s dark pit,
It's the power of reform unlit,
It’s the bridge to times that fit.

A land of light and darkest hours,
That always sees the morrow’s flowers,
In us, in love's enduring powers,
There blooms the hope, there springs the towers.
So let us stand, so let us fight,
For a united land, in unity's light,
For all people, far and near,
For peace and freedom; humanity clear.

© fey (14/06/24)