Nein, meine Söhne geb ich nicht [English translation]

I think I should write to you rather early

And resign today for always

You don't need to spread long lists

To see I've also got two sons

I love them both, that's what I want to tell you

More than my life or the light of my eyes

And they, they won't wear any weapons

No, I won't give you my sons

No, I won't give you my sons

Surely not for you their mother

Gave life to them in pains

Not for you and not for cannon food

Not for you I stood various nights

At their small beds desparately

Cooling a little gleaming face

Until we found peace in exhaustion

No, I won't give you my sons

No, I won't give you my sons

I taught them to admire life

To value the free creature most

I taught them to pity and forgive

And to love, wherever possible

Now you're not going to spoil them with hate

No goal, no honour and no duty

Is worth to kill of die for

No, I won't give you my sons

No, I won't give you my sons

They won't march in row and order

Won't hold on, won't fight to the end

Won't freeze to death on some godless field

While you will be sitting in soft armchairs

To safe my children from all dangers possible

Is my highest duty as a father

And that also means to keep them from you

No, I won't give you my sons

No, I won't give you my sons

I will teach them to disobey

To resist and to not bow down

To reattack each given order

And not to kneel in front of supremes

I will teach them to follow their own way

To not stand up to any world court

Or other noble than themselves

No, I won't give you my sons

No, I won't give you my sons

And I'd rather flee with them

Than you'd make them your servants

I'd rather go into the woods with them

In poverty and as thieves at night

They've only got this one short life

I write it and tell it to your face

They won't give it away for your madness

No, I won't give you my sons

No, I won't give you my sons

• Artist:Reinhard Mey
• Album:Mein Apfelbäumchen