Friedrich Hecker, Officialdom Doth Drive Me from these Climes (1849)

Officialdom doth drive me from these climes

Fare thee well, dear country of my birth,
Officialdom doth drive me from these climes.
America, my chosen patch of earth,
For there alone the sun of freedom shines.
There no tyrant’s chains shall bear upon me.
There they know life’s value to be dear.
And he who seeks to save himself from slavery
Should follow, for ‘tis there he’ll be revered.

There no prideful princes’ lackeys squander
The sour sweat of their countrymen.
There one reaps the fruits of his own labor
And enjoys the blessings of the rights of man.
Beyond the cruel torments of titled idlers,
Upon whom princely favor has pinned stars,
Servile words like “Lord”, “Lady” and “Master”
Have from the local dialect been barred.

To this land let us go, my German brethren.
If you love and honor freedom, follow me.
For all of us, a new life there will blossom,
And thy desires God will grant to thee.
Soon shall strike the long-awaited hour;
The day of our leave-taking is at hand,
And soon we all shall shout with new-found power:
How good, how good life is in this new land!