Kdož jsou Boží bojovníci

"Ye Who Are Warriors of God", the English translation of Kdož jste Boží bojovníci was a Hussite Czech war song that was sung with such intensity throughout the Hussite Wars, that it instilled fear throughout the enemy army, making it a weapon in itself. The hymn would be led by a Hussite priest, whom would be carrying a ceremonial axe. During the 1433 war between the Polish and the Teutonic Knights of Prussia, the Hussites signed an alliance against the Germans in July of 1433. During the war, they advanced all of the way way to the Baltic sea at the town of Danzig. The Prussian 19th century historian, Heinrich von Treitschke, made a reference to the Hussite taking of land near the Baltic Sea and to Kdož jsou Boží bojovníci in this writing: "greeted the sea with a wild Czech song about God's warriors and filled their water bottles with brine in token that the Baltic once more obeyed the Slavs." This is a translation of the song, Kdož jste Boží bojovníci, which was sung in Czech. The song was combined with a Catholic carol sung during the time of King Wenceslaus IV by Antonín Dvořák in his work Husitská.

Lyrics (English Translation)

Ye who are God's warriors and of his law,

Pray to God for help and have faith in Him;

That always with Him you will be victorious.

Christ is worth all your sacrifices, He will pay you back hundredfold.

If you give up your life for Him you will receive eternal life.

Happy is he who believes this truth.

The Lord commandeth you not to fear bodily harm,

And commandeth you to even put your life down for the love of your brothers.

Therefore, archers, crossbowmen, halberdiers of knightly rank,

Scythemen and macebearers from all walks of life,

Remember always the Lord benevolent.

Do not fear your enemies, nor gaze upon their number,

Keep the Lord in your hearts; for Him fight on,

And before enemies you need not flee.

Since ages past Czechs have said & had proverbs which state,

That if the leader is good, so too is the journey.

Remember all of you the password which was given out.

Obey your captains & guard one another.

Stay sharp and everyone keep formation.

You beggars and wrongdoers, remember your soul!

For greed & theft don't lose your life.

And pay no heed to the spoils of war.

And with this happily cry out - sayeth, "At thee! Have at thee!"

Savour the weapon in your hands and shout, "God is our Lord!"

References

• "The Hussite Wars (1419-36)", Stephen Turnbull, Osprey Publishing (ISBN 1841766658)
• The Hussite Chorale
• Spalicek, (Book of Czech Folksongs), published 1948 by Melantrich, Prague.

See also

• Ktož jste boží bojovníci at Wikisource
• MP3 Kdož jste Boží bojovníci