Now, the foemen are burning the gate, men of mine,
And the water is spent and gone?
Then bring me a cup of the red Ahr-wine,
I'll never drink but the one.
And bring my harness, and saddle my horse,
And lead him 'round by the door;
He must take such a leap tonight, perforce,
As a horse never took before.
I have fought my fight, I've lived my life,
I have drunk my share of wine;
From Trieste to Cologne 'twas never a knight
Led a merrier life than mine!
Well, I've lived in the saddle for twoscore years,
And if I must die on a tree
This old saddle-bow that bore me of yore
Is the only timber for me.
Now, to show to Bishop, to Burgher, to Priest
How the Altenahr hawk can die.
If they smoke the old falcon out of his nest
He will take to his wings and fly!
CHORUS
So he harnessed himself in the pale moonlight
And he mounted his horse at the door
And he drained such a cup of the red Ahr-wine
As a man never drank before.
Then he spurred his old war-horse, held him tight
And leaped him over the wall
Out over the cliff, out into the night
Three hundred feet to fall!
CHORUS
He was found next morning in the glen below
With not one bone left whole:
Say a mass or a prayer, good travelers all*
For such a bold rider's soul!
CHORUS
*Original "Say a prayer in passing good soldiers all"