[Born in Leipsic, Germany—1813-1883.]
In the midst of tumult and mixed up with strife
The world renowned great Wagner spent most all his life.
All around his birthplace the day that he was born
Many thousand soldiers lay bleeding, cut and torn
By the fiendish war god, who delights to slay.
And after him came "Pestilence," who bore with her away
The father of young Wagner, and as his mother had
Seven other children no wonder that this lad
Should grow up just like Topsy without a guiding hand,