The song originating from the pre-1848 Vormärz era became popular in the course of the veneration of Andreas Hofer as a protagonist of the Pan-German movement in the Austrian lands, especially aimed against Italian irredentism. In recent years it has therefore become subject to increasing criticism. Nevertheless, having official status as a regional anthem since 1948, it is, since 1972, forbidden by law, with a fine of up to 2000 € possibly imposed, to sing parody versions of the song or to alter the lyrics otherwise in a way that might be insulting to the Tyrolean population. Originally, it was generally forbidden to sing different lyrics to the anthem's melody. However, a popular socialist song, Dem Morgenrot entgegen, is written to the melody of the Tyrolean anthem. Dem Morgenrot entgegen was sung at an event hosted by the SPÖ in 2004, which resulted in a legal complaint by the Tyrolean governor. The current legal situation was then established after an objection by the SPÖ at the Austrian Constitutional Court, which said court has affirmed.
Lyrics
The English lyrics are roughly translated.
Zu Mantua in Banden
Der treue Hofer war,
In Mantua zum Tode
Führt ihn der Feinde Schar.
Es blutete der Brüder Herz,
Ganz Deutschland, ach, in Schmach und Schmerz.
Mit ihm das Land Tirol,
Mit ihm das Land Tirol.
Die Hände auf dem Rücken
Der Sandwirt Hofer ging,
Mit ruhig festen Schritten,
Ihm schien der Tod gering.
Den Tod, den er so manchesmal,
Vom Iselberg geschickt ins Tal,
Im heil'gen Land Tirol,
Im heil'gen Land Tirol.
Doch als aus Kerkergittern
Im festen Mantua
Die treuen Waffenbrüder
Die Händ' er strecken sah,
Da rief er laut: "Gott sei mit euch,
Mit dem verrat'nen deutschen Reich,
Und mit dem Land Tirol,
Und mit dem Land Tirol."
Dem Tambour will der Wirbel
Nicht unterm Schlegel vor,
Als nun der Sandwirt Hofer
Schritt durch das finst're Tor,
Der Sandwirt, noch in Banden frei,
Dort stand er fest auf der Bastei.
Der Mann vom Land Tirol,
Der Mann vom Land Tirol.
Dort soll er niederknie'n,
Er sprach: "Das tu ich nit!
Will sterben, wie ich stehe,
Will sterben, wie ich stritt!
So wie ich steh' auf dieser Schanz',
Es leb' mein guter Kaiser Franz,
Mit ihm sein Land Tirol!
Mit ihm sein Land Tirol!"
Und von der Hand die Binde
Nimmt ihm der Korporal;
Und Sandwirt Hofer betet
Allhier zum letzten Mal;
Dann ruft er: "Nun, so trefft mich recht!
Gebt Feuer! Ach, wie schießt ihr schlecht!
Ade, mein Land Tirol!
Ade, mein Land Tirol!"
At Mantua bound
the loyal Hofer was.
At Mantua into death
his enemies him led.
With bleeding hearts his brothers were,
all of Germany dishonoured and in pain
and with it its land Tyrol,
and with it its land Tyrol.
His hands on his back
the innkeeper Hofer strode
with calm and firm steps
death meant little to him.
Death, which he had himself sent sometimes
from Iselberg into the valley,
in the holy land Tyrol,
in the holy land Tyrol.
But when, from dungeon's bars
in fortified Mantua,
his brothers in arms' hands
outstretched he saw,
he loudly shouted: God be with you
and with the betrayed German Reich
and with the land Tyrol,
and with the land Tyrol.
The reel, it hardly wants to sound
from the stick of the drum,
when then innkeeper Hofer
strode out the dark dungeon's gate.
The innkeeper, though bound, still free,
stood firmly upon the bastion's walls.
The man from the land Tyrol,
the man from the land Tyrol
When told to bend down on his knees,
he says: "I'll never do such thing!
Want to die as I stand here
to die standing, as I fought!
As I stand here upon this mound,
long live my dearest KaiserFranz
as should his land Tyrol,
as should his land Tyrol!
And from his arm the armband
takes off the corporal;
and the innkeeper prays
here for one last time;
then he shouts out loud: "Now hit me right,
fire well! oh dear, are you shooting poorly!"
Farewell, my land Tyrol,
farewell, my land Tyrol
