I recall the blood the screams at Verdun and I recall the smoke the sounds of the guns but my strongest memory is of a man of steel who's heart was as big as his courage was real I could see in his eyes, a hunger burning bright he restored the pride and banished the guilt layed the foundation on which empires are built Even after that defeat, he never bowed his head vowed to reclaim the 'fatherland' for the valiant dead from the Burgerbraukeller in Munich to his Landsverg cell I never saw him falter, I am so proud to tell I was there at the start, I pledged to be here at the end not only as my duty but as a loyal friend I stood proudly by your side during the great victories and I was there when we turned East, alas it wasn't to be I left your side just once in my flight for peace but how could I have known, death was my only release 46 years spent alone, I still served you at the end for you you were my leader and I your loyalest friend