Prinz Eugen, der edle Ritter

"Prinz Eugen, der edle Ritter" (Prince Eugene, the Noble Knight) is an Austrian-German folksong about the victory of Prince Eugene of Savoy in 1717 during the Austro-Turkish War of 1716–1718.

Prinz Eugen of Savoy

Siege of Belgrade in 1717

Eugene of Savoy during the Battle of Belgrade

Theme

The song is a narrative of the Siege of Belgrade (1717). The text diverts from historical accuracy in two aspects. The day of the final assault on the defenders is given as the 21 August although it was 16 August. Second, the song tells of the death of one a Prince Louis (Prinz Ludewig). Eugene had two brothers named Louis but none of them fell at Belgrade. The younger one, Louis Julius (1660–1683) who had entered Imperial service prior to Eugene was killed by Crimean Tatars at Petronell, whereas the older one, Louis Thomas (1657–1702) had died at the Siege of Landau (1702).

Background and legacy

The author of the song is unknown. The melody derives from "Als Chursachsen das vernommen" (1683) and has also been adopted in the period before the German revolutions of 1848–49 to "Ob wir rote, gelbe Kragen" (Whether we [wear] red or yellow collars). Josef Strauss composed in 1865 his Prinz Eugen March, Op. 186, for the unveiling of a statue of Prince Eugene at the Heldenplatz in Vienna; it uses elements of the folksong.

Lyrics

Prinz Eugen der edle Ritter, wollt dem Kaiser wied'rum kriegen Stadt und Festung Belgerad! Er ließ schlagen eine Brukken, daß man kunt hinüberrucken mit der Armee vor die Stadt. Als die Brucken nun war geschlagen, daß man kunnt mit Stuck und Wagen Frei passir'n den Donaufluß, Bei Semlin schlug man das Lager, Alle Türken zu verjagen, Ihn'n zum Spott und zum Verdruß. Am einundzwanzigsten August soeben Kam ein Spion bei Sturm und Regen, Schwur's dem Prinzen und zeigt's ihm an Daß die Türken futragieren, So viel, als man kunnt' verspüren, An die dreimalhunderttausend Mann. Als Prinz Eugenius dies vernommen, Ließ er gleich zusammenkommen Sein' Gen'ral und Feldmarschall. Er tät sie recht instruieren, Wie man sollt' die Truppen führen Und den Feind recht greifen an. Bei der Parol' tät er befehlen, Daß man sollt' die Zwölfe zählen, Bei der Uhr um Mitternacht. Da sollt' all's zu Pferd aufsitzen, Mit dem Feinde zu scharmützen, Was zum Streit nur hätte Kraft. Alles saß auch gleich zu Pferde, Jeder griff nach seinem Schwerte, Ganz still rückt' man aus der Schanz'. Die Musketier' wie auch die Reiter Täten alle tapfer streiten: 's war fürwahr ein schöner Tanz! Ihr Konstabler auf der Schanzen, Spielet auf zu diesem Tanzen Mit Kartaunen groß und klein; Mit den großen, mit den kleinen Auf die Türken auf die Heiden, Daß sie laufen all' davon! Prinz Eugenius auf der Rechten Tät als wie ein Löwe fechten, Als Gen'ral und Feldmarschall. Prinz Ludewig ritt auf und nieder'. Halt't euch brav, ihr deutschen Brüder, Greift den Feind nur herzhaft an! Prinz Ludewig, der mußt' aufgeben Seinen Geist und junges Leben, Ward getroffen von dem Blei. Prinz Eugen war sehr betrübet, Weil er ihn so sehr geliebet, Ließ ihn bring'n nach Peterwardein.

Prince Eugene, the noble knight, wished to recover for the Emperor the city and fortress of Belgrade. He had a bridge built so that they could cross with the army by the city. When the bridge had been built and cannon and wagons could be transported across the Danube, they set up camp at Semlin, in order to drive all the Turks away, to their shame and vexation. Just on the 21st of August, a spy came through wind and rain. He renewed his oath of loyalty and showed him that the Turks were looking for food supplies. They were so many that one could have thought that they were up to three hundred thousand. As soon as Prince Eugene learnt this, he gathered his generals and field marshals. He instructed them how the troops should be manoeuvred and attack the enemy properly. He gave the order and created a password. When the twelve chimes of midnight would strike, (that it at twelve o'clock), that all had to get on their horses and start skirmishes with the enemy who still had strength left. All got on their horses immediately, everyone unsheated his sword and got out of the camp without saying a word. The musketeers and knights fought valiantly. It was really a beautiful dance! You, constables of the fortification, join this dance with your big and small cannons. With the big ones, with the small ones, shoot the Turks and heathens. Make them flee! Prince Eugene attacked on the right flank and fought like a lion, as did the general and the feldmarschall. Prince Ludwig rode to and fro. Fight bravely, German brothers, attack the enemy with all your heart. Prince Ludwig breathed his last, he had to abandon his young life. He was shot by a lead bullet. Prince Eugene was shattered, because he loved him so much. He had him carried to Peterwardein.

External links

• Notes and text
• Lyrics in German and Latin, ingeb.org
• Lyrics and history in German and English, Jean-Louis Vial
• A more poetic translation