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"Prinz Eugenius, der
edle Ritter "
Françoise Campagnolo
History of Das Prinz Eugen
Lied
Louis Jules de Savoie, Colonel
of a Imperial Dragoons Regiment, died in Wien,
during the turkish siege, the 12 july 1683, since
his wounds he suffered at the fight of Petronel.
His brother, Eugene de
Savoie heard the news, and immeditaley he left
for Wien: the Emperor had said he wanted only one
people from the House of Savoie in his Army. The
Brother Louis Jules had died, now it was his
time.
The Great Victory of the 12
september 1683 was the baptisem of fire for the
young Eugene; he was then 20 years old. He fought
with his Cousin the Margrave Ludwig von Baden.
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The 6 november he was at Linz, where the
Emperor Leopold I, since his extremely good military values,
and to assure this young chieftain in the imperial Army,
promised him the Command of the first aviable Dragoon
Regiment, since the bother's Regiment had et a new
Colonel.
The 11 december 1683 Prinz Eugen became
the Colonel of the Dragoon Regiment Kufstein. Eugene gave to
this unit the new name of Dragoons Savoyen. Eugen wanted his
Regiment to be a model for all the cavalry Regiment of the
Imperial Army. He loved his Dragoons all his life long.
Regiment Savoyen (N. 9) had new uniforms and equipment; new
uniforms, weapons, horses and, of course, a new Regimental
March. A new Regimental Fanfare 1683 was composed by Emil
Kaiser.
The Regiment made a parade in the street
of Wien, and it greatly surprized for its splendid
magnificence all the citizen and the Emperor.
From the Fanfare by Emil Kaiser, in 1710
was played the "Prinz Eugen Marsch", written by a anonymous
musician; the Marsch had at the end the same title but a
completely different score.
During the War against the Turks, before
his departure, the 14th may 1717, Eugen had a farewell visit
to Empeor Chales VI, who gave him a precious golden
Holycross, with the engraved the motto "Jesus Christ
Generalissimo", reccomending to take care of himself and to
give news as soon as possible. From the other side, Prinz
Eugen asked the Emperor to cherish his Will
[5].
In the mind of Prinz Eugen that had not
to be a battle where you had to conquer a normal Victory or
to suffer a sad defait: that affaire was a matter of life or
death.
Or i will take
Belgrade,
or the Turks will take me.
Prinz Eugen
The 19th October 1717 Prinz Eugen came
back in Wien, where he met the Emperor Charles VI, who gave
him a diamond-studded sword since his victory of Belgrade.
This battle was the crowning achievement of his militar
career, and it was also his last victory. A suitable and
enduring way to commemorate the Battle of Belgrade was the
famous song of one of the german troopers "Das Prinz Eugen
Lied", probably composed on the notes of the "Prinz Eugen
Marsch" by one of the bavarian soldiers that fought that day
[1]. In fact, tuned up by a private, it was,
uninterruptely, played in Austria and in all the Countries
of Germany, proclaiming everywhere the Glory of the Victor
of the Battle of Belgrade [2].
Regarded as the Greatest of the Generals
that won over the Turkish foe, Eugene de Savoy was naturally
rembered by austrian and german traditions as the last
Defensor of the Christanity, der edle Ritter, the "Noble
Knight", of the "Prinz Eugen Lied"[3].
The Prince was so celebrated in that way,
since everywhere still enjoyed great favour the chivalry
virtues of courage, loyalty and self-discipline; so not only
the common people but also nobles played the Prinz Eugen
Lied, the song of a man reverenced as "Sire des honnetes
gens" [4].
The Battle of Belgrade was a great
victory, and the song "der Prinz Eugen Lied" was soon
composed, as we has seen. The notes of the song were written
by di Jacques de St. Luc, Marsch in the "zur Ankunft des
Prinzen Eugen".
Yet in 1865, on the old score, Josef
Strauss wrote a new "Prinz Eugen Marsch" op. 186.
The traditions about Prinz Eugen, perfect
Christian Hero, courageous General, nightmare of the Turks,
Victor of the French, Noble Knight, flourished expecially in
Austria and inside the Kingdom of Sardinia. Prinz Eugen was
the cousin of the Duke of Savoy, and then the first King of
Sardinia Victor Amadeus II. Both cousins fought together,
and even against each other, several times. Their best
coordinated action was the Battle of Turin, the 7 september
1706. So the Italian Armed Forces, of wich some units have
their traditions from the old Piedmontese Regiments, and
some of these fought under the Great Prince, and on their
Flag Honours is still today present his memory
and
also in the Music, of course. The Italian Cavalry March is
the "Marcia del Principe Eugenio" (Prince Eugene March)
[10].
_____
[1] Derek McKay, Eugenio di
Savoia, ritratto di un condottiero 1663-1736, p.
205.
[2] Franz Herre, Eugenio di
Savoia, il condottiero, lo statista, l'uomo, p.
185
[3] Derek McKay, cit,
304.
[4] Franz Herre, cit.,
190.
[5] Ciro Paoletti, Il Principe
Eugenio di Savoia, Ufficio Storico Stato Maggiore
dell'Esercito, Roma, 2001, p. 489.
[6] Ciro Paoletti, ult. op. cit.,
546. During WWII Italian Royal Navy had an excellent cruiser
class "Condottieri"; one of them was the R.N. Eugenio di
Savoia, while one of the Motorized Divisions of the Royal
Army took the name of "1a Divisione Celere Principe
Eugenio".
Paroles
Françoise Campagnolo
"Petit Tambour de Turin 1706"
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