Classic Poem

After sun and joy you went,
Naked you return and spent.
German truth and German shirt—
Wanderers lose them to their hurt.

Though as pale as death your face,
You're at home: take heart of grace.
Warm as on the glowing hearth,
Germans lie in German earth.

Many a one, alas! grew lame,
Died ere to his home he came,
Arms outstretched toward the goal—
Christ have mercy on his soul!