“Wir sind des Geyers schwarzer Haufen” is a German marching song composed around the 1920s. The lyrics of the song are sourced from the poem “Ich bin der arme Konrad” by the Bavarian poet and artillery officer Heinrich von Reder (1824–1909) . The song emphasizes the importance of the Holy Scripture and that they will only follow it. They want to fight against the priests and even set fire to the monastery by putting the red rooster on the roof. The song also asks where the nobles were during the fight . The song was not originally a Nazi song, but it was used by the SS . However, it is not considered a Nazi song in Germany today
Wir sind des Geyers schwarzer Haufen
wir sind des geyers schwarzer haufen
Wir sind des Geyers schwarze Haufen,
Hei a ho ho!
Und wollen mit Tyrannen raufen,
Hei a ho ho!
Spieß voran, drauf und dran,
Setzt aufs Klosterdach den roten Hahn!
Wir wolln’s dem Herrn im Himmel klagen
Kyrieleis!
daß wir die Pfaffen nicht dürfen totschlagen
Kyrieleis!
Spieß voran, drauf und dran,
Setzt aufs Klosterdach den roten Hahn!
Als Adam grub und Eva spann,
Kyrieleis!
Wo war denn da der Edelmann?
Kyrieleis!
Spieß voran, drauf und dran,
Setzt aufs Klosterdach den roten Hahn!
Jetzt geht’s auf Schloß, Abtei und Stift,
Heia hoho!
uns gilt nichts als die Heilge Schrift,
Heia hoho!
Spieß voran, drauf und dran,
Setzt aufs Klosterdach den roten Hahn!
Uns führt der Florian Geyer an,
Trutz Acht und Bann!
Den Bundschuh führt er in der Fahn,
Hat Helm und Harnisch an!
Spieß voran, drauf und dran,
Setzt aufs Klosterdach den roten Hahn!
Bei Weinsberg setzt’ es Brand und Stank,
Heia hoho!
Gar mancher über die Klinge sprang,
Heia hoho!
Spieß voran, drauf und dran,
Setzt aufs Klosterdach den roten Hahn!
Des Edelmannes Töchterlein,
Kyrieleis!
Wir schicktens in die Höll hinein,
Kyrieleis!
Spieß voran, drauf und dran,
Setzt aufs Klosterdach den roten Hahn!
Geschlagen ziehen wir nach Haus,
Heia hoho!
Unsre Enkel fechten’s besser aus,
Heia hoho!
Spieß voran, drauf und dran,
Setzt aufs Klosterdach den roten Hahn!
wir sind des geyers schwarzer haufen verboten English
We are the Geyer’s Black Host,
Hiya ho ho!
And we want to scuffle with tyrants
Hiya ho ho!
Spears Advance! Forward march!
Raise the red flames upon the cloister roof!
We want to complain to God in Heaven
Lord, have mercy!
That we can’t beat the priests to death,
Lord, have mercy!
Spears advance! Forward march!
Raise the red flames upon the cloister roof!
When Adam plowed and Eve spun,
Lord, have mercy!
Where was then the nobleman?
Lord, have mercy!
Spears advance! Forward march!
Raise the red flames upon the cloister roof!
Now we’re ‘gainst the fort, abbey, and church,
Hiya ho ho!
We keep no vows but the Holy Script
Hiya ho ho!
Spears advance! Forward march!
Raise the red flames upon the cloister roof!
We’re lead by Florian Geyer,
Despite being outlaws!
The Bundschuh he carries upon his flag
Wears helmets and armor!
Spears advance! Forward march!
Raise the red flames upon the cloister roof!
By Weinsberg we gave ’em fire and stench,
Hiya ho ho!
Many a man was put to the blade,
Hiya ho ho!
Spears advance! forward march!
Raise the red flames upon the cloister roof!
The nobleman’s little daughter,
Lord have mercy!
We’ll send her straight back to hell,
Lord have mercy!
Spears advance! Forward march!
Raise the red flames upon the cloister roof!
Beaten, we drag ourselves back home
Hiya ho ho!
Our grandchildren will fight a better fight
Hiya ho ho!
Spears advance! Forward march,
Raise the red flames upon the cloister roof!
Wir sind des Geyers schwarzer Haufen Meaning
“Wir sind des Geyers schwarzer Haufen” is a German marching song composed around the 1920s. The song’s lyrics are sourced from the poem “Ich bin der arme Konrad” by the Bavarian poet and artillery officer Heinrich von Reder (1824–1909) 1. The song is about the German Peasants’ War and is noted for its strong anti-clerical and anti-noble themes 1. The song’s title, “We are Geyer’s Black Bunch,” and lyrics are references to Florian Geyer (1490 – 10 June 1525) and his Black Company, a heavy cavalry unit that fought on the side of the peasants during the German Peasants’ War 1. Geyer’s Black Company was notorious for their destruction of cathedrals, castles, and summary executions of clerics and noblemen 1. The song’s Wir sind des Geyers schwarzer Haufen lyrics capitalize on this notoriety, with references to the actions of the Black Company: “Setzt aufs Klosterdach den Roten Hahn!” (“Raise the red rooster [flames] upon the Cloister Roof!”) 1. The song was composed within the broader context of the Weimar Republic-era German Youth Movements and was sung by many different political groups across the political spectrum 1. The song is notable for its inclusion in both the official songbooks of the German Nazi Party and the National People’s Army of the German Democratic Republic 1. In modern-day Germany, “Wir sind des Geyers schwarzer Haufen” remains a popular song performed by various German music groups. Depending on the specific arrangement and performer, the lyrics of the song may be altered or weakened 1. I hope this helps!
