The Carol of the Pruss

Hurrah ! for the boom of the thundering gun !
Hurrah for the words they say ! —
" Here's a Merry Christmas to every one,
And a Happy New Year's Day ! "
Thus saith the King to the echoing ball :
" With the blessing of God we shall slay them all ! "

" Up ! " said the King, " load, fire, and slay !
'Tis a kindly signal given :
However happy on earth be they,
They'll be happier in heaven.
Tell them, as soon as their souls are free,
They'll sing like birds on a Christmas tree !

" Down with them all ! If they rise again,
They will munch our beef and bread ;
War there must be with the living men,
There'll be peace when all are dead !
This earth shall be our wide, wide home,
Our foes shall have the world to come !

" Starve ! starve them all, till through the skin
You may count each hungry bone :
Tap ! tap their veins till the blood runs thin
And their sinful flesh is gone ;
While life is strong in the German sky,
What matters it who beside may die !

" No sigh so sweet as the cannon's breath,
No music like the gun !
Here's a Merry Christmas to War and Death,
And a Happy New Year to none ! "
Thus saith the King to the echoing ball :
" With the blessing of God we shall slay them all ! "