Rein wie hoch am Himmelsbogen
Unsrer Heimat Sterne stehn.
Maechtig, wie die Meereswogen
Gegen unsre Kueste gehn,
Soll der Heimat Sang uns dringen
Aus der treuen Brust hervor,
Soll Brasiliens Preis erklingen
Aus dem deutschen Maennerchor.

Fuelle liegt auf deinen Fluren,
Gottgesegnet Vaterland;
Leuchtend zeigst du noch die Spuren
Von des Schoepfers Meisterhand:
In des Mittags blauen Fernen
Wo die goldne Sonnenpracht,
Mit des Himmels schoensten Sternen
Schmuekt sie funkelnd deine Nacht.

Deine fruchtgetraenkte Erde
Gibt uns Mut zu frischem Tun,
Gibt uns Muesse, um am Herde
Sonder Sorge auszuruhn.
Aus des Bodens Scholle ziehen
Wir des Lebens bestes Mark,
Aus des Bodens Kraft erbluehen
Die Geschlechter frei und stark.

Lasst uns schaffen mit der Staerke
Dessen, der die Heimat liebt,
Lasst uns beten, dass zum Werke
Gott uns das Gedeihen gibt!
Ewig heilig, ewig teuer
Bleibest du dem deutschen Lied,
Heimatland, in dem das Feuer
Unsres Herdes gastlich glueht.

O. Meyer in _Uhle's Kalender_ for 1916.

PREFACE.

The primary purpose of this work is to give an idea of the dialect which
has been developed by the German-speaking element in Brazil.

As comparatively little is known by the English-speaking public
concerning the history, location and relative importance of the German
element in Brazil (judging from extant English publications referring to
the subject), the main part of the work has been preceded by a chapter
dealing with these particular phases. This first chapter is also
intended to prepare the reader to form a reasonable estimate of the
comparative importance and extent of the dialect under discussion in the
main part of the work.

In connection with this study the author is particularly indebted to the
well-known authority on German American cultural relations and
conditions, Professor Marion Dexter Learned, of the University of
Pennsylvania. It was at his suggestion and under his constant help and
advice that the plan was carried out.

While on a trip of investigation in Brazil the writer was furnished
important information and material by Friedrich Sommer, _Direktor_ of
the "Banco Allemao Transatlantico" of Sao Paulo; Henrique Bamberg of Sao
Paulo; Otto Specht, _Chefe da Seccao de Publicidade e Bibliotheca_ of
the "Secretaria da Agricultura" of Sao