Schlage die Trommel und fürchte dich nicht

Beat on the drum and blow the fife
And kiss the vivandiere , my boy.
Fear nothing — that's the whole of life;
Its deepest truth, its soundest joy.

Beat reveille, and with a blast
Arouse all men to valiant strife.
Waken the world; and then, at last,
March on . . . That is the whole of life.

This is Philosophy; this is Truth;
This is the burning source of joy!
I've borne this wisdom from my youth,
For I, too, was a drummer-boy.