Haus Österreich
1
Merks ein wenig auf meine Herrn
Ich werd euch was neus erklären wis bei
Haus Österreich steht und wie es da zu geht
Es komt oft so mancher Strauß mit Gedult
halt wir im aus und rüchten aus geschw
ind wen an Unkl???k an komt
2
Wie es bei Haus Österreich steht weils
Den kein Mensch versteht das wir mit
Die kleinen Leut das wird mir einmahl
Gescheid wir müßen almahl verlieren wir können
Nichts profitieren warum jetzt möchte ich euch
Fragen wer kann mans den sagen
3
Ist die feundliche zahl noch so gering alls
Wie in Dalmatien drin wir Richten doch in??
Aus wir opfern grod Leut genug auf weil(?)
hat bei derer Zeit oft schon so viele Leut sind
Ganz verstümelt worn wen s(?)oll mans den ?
4
Schon seit die 50 Jahr sind wir schon vil
Schwacher worn seit ist Radezki Gestorbn
Ham wir schon viel verloren in 59 Jahr
In Italien drin und was ich euch jetzt
Noch nen Venedig und Lombardi ja als da hin
5
Radezki der Dapfere Häld soll noch lebenAuf dieser Weld dan wärs um Preußen
Gefallt Österreich hät mähr a Geld hättet
Da Ruß a da zu Schläg krigat a jeter gnur
Prreußen und Rußisch Pollen der Teufel sols holn
6
Radezki der tapfere Greis von den
Die Welt so vieles weis er war ein
Soldaten Freund drum schlägt im nie kein
Feund er hat Soldaten geliebt Sie hambs sich
Tapfer gewehrt er hats gescheud komandirt
Und hats nicht angeschmiert
7
Und was ist uns überblieben er ist
Schon längst verschwin ach das Edle Radetzko
Schüff was uns zu grund gegangen ist
Das habns in die Lieften gesprengt in das
Tief Mehr versenkt und wie es da zu
gegangen ist dies weis man a nit gewis
8
Sind fünftausend Mann drauf gewen
Die müßen ihren Geist auf geben es
haben sich die meisten Dränkt ins
Tiefe Merr versenkt etliche zwanzig
Mann komen mit Leben davon die sich
In größter Noht mit Schwimen greth haben
9
Was Österreich für Unklück hat
So hört mans doch nit grad was
Österreich für Schulden hat und wird
schaften schon so lang wir fangen oft
Mit Gewoldhaufen(?) an und glauben
Wir wern frei davon auf einmal komt
Wieder was das nicht sein kann
10
Der talgeti Preußen Krieg der hat
Uns recht angeschmirt das Zahlung nit
W?eniger wird das hat gewis a jeder
Gespirt ja wir warn a so nit Zneiden es
Du(?)rfte beim Alten bleiben sind so viel
Tausend Mann gestorben und müßen
Noch so viel Zahl
10
Was Österreich muß verschuldet haben
Das härt man die Krieger klagen Das
So vol Unglück ist Grund gehn thuts es
Noch gewis der Preuß der ist lang schon
Dran ob ers nicht Grund richten kann
Aber von den ist gar ka Red Grund gehn
Tuts nit
11
Wans jetzt an Feldzung gibt so hoffe
Ich das Österreich siegt Albrecht und
Erzherzog Karl lassen sich gewies nicht
Schlagen das sind zwei Generäls die sind
Radezki gleich darum Krieger seids
Getröst und habs Respekt Ende For the English version I disregarded the vers form and tried to interpret the meaning (which isn't always quite obvious to me in the German version):
House Austria
1
Pay a little attention, gentlemen, I’m going to explain something new to you: The state of House Austria and what’s going on around here. Whenever there is any fighting going on, we persevere with patience. We march out quickly when there is trouble afoot.
2
The state of House Austria, nobody really understands it. [I’m not at all sure about the meaning of the next line - maybe it’s something like:] The normal people, so it seems, can only lose. Nothing ever works out for us. Why does it always have to be like that, that’s what I want to ask you. Who can tell me?
3
Even when the numbers are few on our side, we still [unclear], like in Dalmatia*. We just sacrifice enough people and so many have been maimed. [I’m not really sure about this whole paragraph] *) Dalmatia had been under Austrian rule since the beginning of the 19th century. It was a disputed province during the Napoleonic wars, but I didn’t find any mention of battles there. No idea why it is being referred to here.
4
We’ve grown weaker and weaker since the fifties, since Radetzky* died. We’ve lost so much in 59 in Italy, I’m telling you. Venice and Lombardia, we lost it all.** *) Field Marshal Radetzky was famous Austrian general of the 19th century. His great renown was earned during the Napoleonic wars. He didn't live to see Austria to be defeated during the fraternal war against Prussia. His name lives on in a famous piece of music called "Radetzkymarsch". Check it out on youtube, you probably heard it before. Actually, I can insert youtube videos here, it seems. Well, that's kind of awesome:
**) In 1859 Austria was fighting against Italy and France for the Habsburg owned provinces of Tuscany and Lombardy. These were lost after the defeat at Solferino, but Veneto remained in Austrian possession or at least that's what Wikipedia claims. To be honest, I know nothing about this war. Google it.
5
If only Radetzky, the brave hero, were still alive in this world! Prussia would have no chance at all. Austria would have so much more money and we could take on Russia too. We’d beat everyone. Prussia, Russians and Poles could all go to hell.
6
Radetzky, the brave old man, so well known to the world, he was a friend to the soldiers. That’s why he was never beaten by any enemy. He loved his soldiers and they fought for him bravely. He commanded them wisely and never betrayed them.
7
And now, what’s left? He is long gone. And the noble Radetzky ship* is gone too, they blew it up, it sank into the deep sea. What happened there, isnt quite known either.
*) The SMS Radetzky was a fregate that took part in the battles of Helgoland and Lissa. Didnt find anything else about it, specifically nothing about when or how it sank.
8
She had five thousand men on board, they all had to die. Most of them drowned in the sea, only some twenty men survived, they safed themselves swimming ashore.
9
Oh, the misfortune of Austria. We never hear about how much Austria is in debt. We have been working for so long to try to get out of it. But each time something happens, that wasnt quite planned.
11
That stupid Prussian war* did us no good at all. Everybody knows that payments dont diminish. No, we’re not to be envied. Everything stayed the same except that so many thousands had to die. And still we have to pay so much. *) That stupid Prussian war was a conflict between Austria and Prussia for hegemony. It's known as "Deutscher Krieg" and took place in 1866. Prussia teamed up with Italy against Austria and eventually kicked us out of the German Reich. This is probably the main cause (though not the only reason) why there is a seperate Austrian state today. It's also the reason why we arent responsible for all the shit that happened in Germany afterwards. Oh, and I just read that Austria had to concede Venetia to Italy after the defeat at Königgrätz. So that's sorted out now as well.
10
Austria must have sinned, we hear our soldiers moan, since it’s so misfortunate. Surely it must all go to ruin. The Prussian has been scheming for a long time to bring it down. But that’s not going to happen. It wont go down.
11
If there’s war now, I hope that Austria will be victorious. Albrecht and Archduke Karl wont be beaten, surely. Those two are generals, like Radetzky was. So warriors, be brave and have respect! The end. (This last paragraph looks like an excuse for all the criticism in the rest of the song. Maybe the author hoped he could talk himself out of being accused for treason by putting in a patriotic ending. Not sure whether it really would have helped.)
