"Should a Knote dare to sing a student song, he is to be well cudgelled; not so much on account of the excellence of the song, as on account of the audacity of the Philistine, presuming to desecrate songs sacred to the students especially as it is impossible that he can have so much feeling as to appreciate the elegance and beauty of such songs."
As the occasions on which men sing are very different, it is natural that the contents of the songs should be so too. Some contain--
Firstly.--An incitement to joy. Amongst these I reckon "Up Brothers, let us joyful be;" or, an Exhortation to Friendship, as that bonne amitié song, with which a Commers is always opened, and whose object is solely to create a friendly feeling in the Old Burschen towards the Foxes.
Secondly.--Others are Freedom and Fatherland songs; amongst which, high above all, stands "The Landsfather."
Thirdly.--Songs which express the spirit and bravery of the students; as--"The Bursch of genuine Shot and Corn;" or "The Sword on my left side:" "Know ye the happy way to conquer;" "Brave 'tis 'neath the free blue Heaven," etc. One of these we may here give at length, as a
[PICTURE OF THE OLD-FASHIONED BURSCH.]
The Bursch of real shot and corn,
His courage still doth bloom;
On heavy boot the spur is worn,
From hat doth sway the plume.