Prussia's Glory

Preußens Gloria, Armeemarschsammlung II, 240, is a well-known military march of the 19th century, composed by Johann Gottfried Piefke (1817–1884).[1][2]

Preußens Gloria
by Johann Gottfried Piefke
EnglishPrussia's Glory
Other nameAMS II/240
KeyD♭ major, trio in G♭ major

"Preußens Gloria" ("The Glory of Prussia" or "Prussia's Glory") was written in 1871 after the Kingdom of Prussia's victory in the Franco-Prussian War, which led to the unification of the German states into the new Prussian-led German Empire.[3] As part of the victory parade of the returning troops, the march was performed for the first time in public in Frankfurt an der Oder, where Piefke's garrison was based.[4]

As Piefke only performed it on important occasions, the march was unknown to a broader public for a long time. In 1909 the manuscript of the almost forgotten tune turned up and was reworked by army-musical inspector Prof. Grawert. Shortly afterwards it was included in the collection of Prussian army marches.[5]

When the Nazi Party came to power in 1933, the famous march became a staple of nationalistic triumph spurred by the propaganda movement for the reclaiming of former glory for the nation.

\relative c'' { \set Staff.midiInstrument = #"piano" \tempo 2 = 105 \key des \major \time 2/4 \partial 4 as8 as des4 as f as f as des f es es8 es es4 des8 es f4 es des }

Today it is one of the best known German army marches. It is often played by the Bundeswehr at official ceremonies and state visits. It is also a standard tune in many international military bands. In Germany it is often played by non-professional bands due to its popularity. It has also been adopted by units in other armies, for example by the First Squadron, Honourable Artillery Company. The song is often played by marching bands in Northern Ireland. Also, it is played in the Military Parades of Chile, performed by the Chilean Army. It is also played by the Royal Swedish Army Band and the British Army. The National People's Army of East Germany was not allowed to play the march.[6]

Lyrics

Although Preußens Gloria has no official lyrics, in May 2021, Karl Sternau, a Music Historian, wrote unofficial lyrics for the aforementioned song:[7]

References
  1. DNB-IDN 360171222
  2. Schutte, Sabine (1988). "Preußens Gloria". Die Musik kommt!. Stuttgart: J.B. Metzler. pp. 29–43. doi:10.1007/978-3-476-99362-5_3.
  3. Goeller, Tom (22 March 2010). "Preußens Glanz und Gloria". Deutschlandfunk (in German). Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  4. "Preußens Gloria". Rundel Verlag (in German). Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  5. "Eine Kulturgeschichte der Schützenfest-Musik". derwesten.de. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  6. "Wie Herr Piefke zu seinem Ruf kam". pnp.de, Kultur (in German). 3 January 2011. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  7. Sing with @Der Michel - Preußens Gloria [With Lyrics][+ English Translation], retrieved 2022-09-26
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