Sonate D-Dur - Die Wacht am Rhein

Here we have another composition based on a well-known melody. “Die Wacht am Rhein” (The Watch on the Rhine) is a heroic hymn composed in the 19th century by Carl Wilhelm, with lyrics written in 1840 by Max Schneckenburger, a Romantic poet.
What is this song about?
First, the melody (Carl Wilhelm, 1854):
Carl Wilhelm's melody is catchy, solemn, and hymn-like. It is composed in 4/4 time and moves within a range typical of folk and military songs, which makes it easy to sing along to. A characteristic feature is the powerful upbeat, which immediately conveys a combative and at the same time uplifting mood. The melody often rises step by step, creating a tension that resolves in a wide arc. Harmonically, it is kept simple but effective: clear tonic-dominant references that express stability and firmness. Especially in the refrain line “Lieb' Vaterland, magst ruhig sein, fest steht und treu die Wacht am Rhein” (Dear fatherland, be calm, the watch on the Rhine is firm and faithful), the melody's rhythmic emphasis makes it seem almost like a musical vow – solemn, unshakeable, and patriotic.

And then the text (Max Schneckenburger, 1840):
Max Schneckenburger wrote the text in 1840, at a time of great political tension between France and the German states. The occasion was the so-called “Rhine Crisis,” when France under King Louis-Philippe laid claim to the territory on the left bank of the Rhine. Schneckenburger responded with a poem that invoked the Rhine as a “sacred border” and symbol of German unity.

The poem calls for the defense of the fatherland and describes the Rhine as a fateful line that must not be surrendered at any price. The verses are martial and heroic, invoking sacrifice, loyalty, and national unity. Particularly central is the recurring assurance that the “guard on the Rhine” is secure – an image that can be understood both militarily (as a line of defense) and symbolically (as an expression of national strength).