We came over the mountains tall and high,
Second sons all, strength of will our birthright,
Unencumbered by our patrimony;
Seeking land to raise our proud heritage.
--
A fertile realm, strange but yet familiar,
Stretching forested from range to blue sea,
Empty of town and tilled green field, we saw;
Surely this was to be our paradise.
--
Demon-possessed was this unearthly land,
For beast and tree spoke with the voice of Man;
Sorcery so evil and foul and dark
That pledged we to free the land from such ill.
--
With axe, plough and fence we fought the deep wood,
To bring land to light and dispel the dark;
But trees and creatures did in vain cry out,
Protesting their right to live free of chains.
--
Called they upon an evil dark spirit,
Embodied they said as an untamed lion;
Neither growl nor roar did answer their pleas,
Our righteous might greater than their false god.
--
Victorious were we over the beasts;
By long struggle, sharp iron and red blood;
For was not dominion granted to Man,
To rule over fish, fowl and crawling worm?
--
Still and quiet are now wood, stand and copse,
No laugh, no voice or song, no joyous pipes
Do play; all is fear and loathing and hate,
For we stole the gift of words and reason.
--
So under the boughs we do venture not
Unless with axe at hand; our shame is great
As the land is not ours; in silent rage
The trees cry out against our bloody sin.