Danube

In greening days when far abroad in life
friends met and measured the bounds of spirit
in weinstube and beer hall laughter rife
with strength of youth and loudly sung lyrics

Those were the days when hubris' trumpet harsh
shouted to all of plans quite grandiose
We'd answer fate - set armies all a-march
not sink in drink to sing our songs morose.

Greatness never into our lives was thrust.
We lived our lives as called by fate to do.
No clarion called all the world to us
nor were we the cause of the nation's rue

Aspirations are no measure of man
nor honestly his deeds nor any plan.