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"Zu Mantua in Banden," also known as "Andreas-Hofer-Lied" an Austrian folksong and Tiroler Landeshymne. This dedication song is about Tyrolean hero Andreas Hofer's execution. The lyricist is Julius Mosen (1803-1867). The composer is Leopold Knebelsberger (1814-1869).
Citation:
Erk, Friedrich, and Friedrich Silcher. "150. Andreas Hofer. (II. 24.)." Allgemeines Deutsches Kommersbuch, Moritz Schauenburg, 1920, pp. 134-135.
Context: Andreas Hofer, leader of the Tyrolean Rebellion, was captured and scheduled for execution. He led a rebellion against the French and Bavarians during the 1809 Fifth Coalition of the Napoleonic Wars. French soldiers took Hofer in chains to Mantua, Italy to his death. The Germans grieved for his fate. Hofer walked calmly with his hands behind his back. When he got locked behind prison bars in Mantua, his loyal comrades greeted him and stretched out their hands. The soldiers led Hofer through a the dark gate and to the execution site. Hofer refused to kneel down. He expressed his loyalty to Kaiser Franz and the German Reich. Right before his death, he prayed one last time. French soldiers shot him while Hofer bid farewell to his land Tyrol.
Lyrics/Text:
1. Zu Mantua in Banden
der treue Hofer war,
in Mantua zum Tode
führt ihn der Feinde Schar.
Es blutete der Brüder Herz,
ganz Deutschland, ach, in Gram und Schmerz,
mit ihm das Land Tirol,
mit ihm das Land Tirol,
mit ihm das Land Tirol,
mit ihm das Land Tirol.
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