The German Combatants.Translated by Akbar Muhammad.

The combatants are sound,
Prepared to any risk,
And the long roads, as rugs,
We on our marches beat.

We go without cessation,
We’re not able to change foot,
Beam with delight our faces,
And shine our polished boots!

Across the burnt off plain —
Persistently, yard by yard —
Go forward through Ukraine
The German combatants.

Attention, men! By twos, count off!

First, second...

The first, for Paradise set off!

First, second...

The second is a brave man too,
He’ll go to Heaven right after you.

First, second,
First, second,
First, second...

All boom and thrive in front of us,
And what we leave are pits.
We have no need to think about,
There’s he who’s doing it.

We’ll come back bright and merry
To our abiding-place,
Where our fine brides with fair hair
Await us with impatience!

It shall be, but today —
Persistently, yard by yard —
Go forward through Ukraine
The German combatants.

Attention, men! By twos, count off!

First, second...

The first, for Paradise set off!

First, second...

The second is a brave man too,
He’ll go to Heaven right after you.

First, second,
First, second,
First, second...

1965.