The Iron Fist Grips Lance and Steel [Die Eisenfaust am Lanzenschaft – English version]

„Die Eisenfaust am Lanzenschaft” („The Iron Fist on the Lance Shaft”) is a song about the Teutonic Knights of Santa Maria, one of the three major chivalry orders of Christendom, founded in Jerusalem at the time of the 2nd Crusade. It was the first chivalry order to be dedicated to Our Lady. Later, the Pope transferred the Order to Germany to fight pagans in northeastern Europe, granting its knights the same indulgences of the crusaders. Teutonic Knights lost badly to joined Polish-Lithuanian forces during Battle of Tannenberg (in Polish historiography: Battle of Grunwald) on July 15th 1410. It was beginning of end of Teutonic Knights and finally in 1525 they pledged allegiance to Kingdom of Poland. Original song composed by Robert Götz and Willi Nufer in 1921:    • Видео   This rendition inspired by Blood Axis. Video footage from Polish historical movie „Krzyżacy” („The Teutons”) (1960), directed by Aleksander Ford. Final image: the painting „Bitwa pod Grunwaldem” by Polish painter Jan Matejko, 1872-1878. #krzyżacy #grunwald #neofolk * * The iron fist grips lance and steel The reins are clenched in war-worn hand, The empire’s oath is sworn and sealed, As flashing blades strike through the land. Heya, heya, heya, hey! As flashing blades strike through the land. The blackened cross on field of white Moves where frozen banners stand, Unbroken still by loss or fight, Its ancient call we understand. Heya, heya, heya, hey! The pennants fly, we ride as one, In God’s own name our columns tread, As once the knightly orders swore, Beneath His shield the faithful bled, And sanctified the art of war. It snaps alive in morning air, And hails the marches, cold and wide, Our brothers stand though marked by shame, By exile’s scar they do not hide. Heya, heya, heya, hey! By exile’s scar they don't hide. It rides before in iron grace, Commanding hearts to charge and fall, For vanished crowns, for shattered faith, The pennants rise, we heed the call. Heya, heya, heya, hey! The pennants rise, we heed call. Heya, heya, heya, heya! The pennants rise, we heed call.