Lyre and Sword facts for kids

Lyre and Sword (in German, Leyer und Schwerdt, or Leier und Schwert in modern spelling) is a famous collection of patriotic poems. It was written by a German poet named Theodor Körner (1791–1813). The book was published in 1814, after Körner had passed away. Most of the poems in the collection were written in the last year of his life.

Theodor Körner was a soldier during the German War of Liberation. He fought as a lieutenant in a group called the Lützow Free Corps. Sadly, he died in battle on August 26, 1813. His poems were often sung to a guitar or recited to his fellow soldiers. Some of them were even based on popular German folk-tunes.

What is Lyre and Sword?

Lyre and Sword is a book of poems that became very important in Germany. The title itself tells you a lot about the poems. The "lyre" stands for poetry and music, while the "sword" stands for fighting and freedom. The poems are about bravery, love for one's country, and the fight for freedom.

Who was Theodor Körner?

Theodor Körner was a young poet and soldier. He was born in 1791 and lived only until 1813. He joined the fight against Napoleon's army during the Napoleonic Wars. Körner believed strongly in German freedom. His poems helped inspire many people during that time. He wrote them to encourage his fellow soldiers and the German people.

Poems and Music

The first book of Lyre and Sword was published by Theodor Körner's father, Christian Gottfried Körner, in Vienna in 1814. It quickly became very popular. Many new editions were printed, and people loved the poems.

What made the poems even more special was that many of them were set to music. Famous composers turned Körner's words into songs. This made the poems even more powerful and easy for people to remember.

Famous Songs

Some of the most well-known poems from Lyre and Sword became popular songs. These include:

• “Lützow's Wild Chase”
• “Cavalry Song”
• “Sword Song”

The famous composer Carl Maria von Weber even created a collection of songs for men's chorus using several of Körner's poems. He called his collection Lyre and Sword too. Other composers, like Franz Schubert, also set poems such as “My Fatherland,” the “Hunters’ Song,” and “Prayer During the Battle” to music.

The Meaning of the Title

The title Lyre and Sword has a deep meaning. It connects the power of art (the lyre, representing poetry and music) with the power of action and fighting for freedom (the sword). A famous quote from the book's "Dedication" explains this idea:

This means that the ideas and feelings expressed in the poems (the lyre) were then achieved through the brave actions of soldiers (the sword). It shows how art can inspire people to make a real difference in the world.