Eternal rest grant unto His Imperial Majesty, O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. AmenPictured is an antique postcard depicting the Emperor in prayer with the poem Unser Kaiser im Gebet by Harry Sheff. Reprinted below in the original German, we also offer translations in English and Neapolitan by Cav. Charles Sant'Elia.
Unser Kaiser im Gebet
Vater im Himmel, Lenker der Sonnen,
Zeuge für mich, der in Demut Dir nacht!
Ich nicht habe den Kampf begonnen,
Ich nicht streute die blutige Saat !
Doch von Feinden und Neidern umgeben
Rief ich mein Volk zu eiserner Wehr,
Laß Deinen Geist uns're Waffen umschweben,
Uns sei der Sieg – und Dir sei die Ehr'.
Our Emperor in Prayer
Heavenly Father, ruler of the suns,
Witness for me, who is humble in the night!
I didn't start the fight
I did not strew the bloody seeds!
But surrounded by enemies and envious people
I called my people to an iron defense,
Let Your Spirit float around our weapons
Victory be to us - and honor to you.
'O Mperatore Nuosto Mprejaría
Pate ca staje ncielo, Re d''o sole,
Addeventasse testimmonio pe me, ummele dint''a notte!
Nun aggio accommenciato 'a battaglia
Nun n'aggio jettato 'e semmenze 'e sango!
Ma attornejato 'a nemmice e gente mmeriosa,
Aggio chiammato 'a' gente mia a na defesa 'e fierro,
Fa' ca volasse 'o Spireto Tujo attuorno a ll'arme noste,
'A vittoria a nuje- e annore a Te.
Pate ca staje ncielo, Re d''o sole,
Addeventasse testimmonio pe me, ummele dint''a notte!
Nun aggio accommenciato 'a battaglia
Nun n'aggio jettato 'e semmenze 'e sango!
Ma attornejato 'a nemmice e gente mmeriosa,
Aggio chiammato 'a' gente mia a na defesa 'e fierro,
Fa' ca volasse 'o Spireto Tujo attuorno a ll'arme noste,
'A vittoria a nuje- e annore a Te.
