Gold für Eisen?

Although they never set foot in Germany, Ernst (Opa) Mueller and his sister Dora were of the first American-born immigrant generation, raised to admire both countries. The Great War had become a costly stalemate of trenches; America had not yet entered the conflict. Ernst wrote that he would give money (gold) to support German widows and orphans, but his allegiance now belonged to America, the only nation for which he would bear arms (Eisen/iron). Dora, on the other hand, had implored the Lord’s blessing on the German army. (See Dora’s Mein Vaterland.)
View Sängerbote

Gold für Eisen?
 
Im deutschen Reich viel edle Herzen bluten
Viel Helden ruhn in stiller Gruft und kühlen Fluren
Drum gab das Volk sein Gold für Eisen
Und lindert so die Not der Witwen, Waisen.

Gold for Iron?
 
In the German nation many precious hearts bleed
Many heroes rest in quiet tombs and cool meadows
Still the people give their gold for iron
And meet the needs of widows and orphans.

O edles Wort der Junge meiner Ahnen
Wie freuen mich die Siege deiner Fahnen!
Mich schmerzt Verwüstung deiner Gauen
So wie das Los der tränenmüden Frauen.

O precious promise of my ancestors’ youth
The triumphs of your banners delights me!
The devastation of your provinces grieves me
Just as the plight of tear-weary women.

Von meiner Gabe will ich gerne geben,
Doch meine Treue, ja, mein Blut und Leben –
Gehöret dir, Amerika. Im Süden und im Norden
Dein Sternenbanner gilt allein als Orden.

I will gladly give of my treasure,
Though loyalty and, yes, my blood and life
Belong to you, America. In the South as in the North
Your starry flag stands alone as an icon.

Dir geb ich Gold, Germania,
Für deine Witwen, Waisen –
Doch, nur für dich, Amerika,
Trag ich das Schwert als Eisen!

E. H. C. M.

I give you gold, O Germany,
For your widows and orphans,
But only for you, America,
Will I bear the sword – of iron!

E. H. C. M.