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Lyrics of For 3rd Corps by HistoryMusicNerd

Napoleon marches forth on Prussian ground.
In the distance hear the cannon sound.
At Jena and Auerstedt, the die is cast,
The Empire’s might will crush them fast.

Get in line, there is no second chance,
The Prussian line will break under France.

Alone fights – 3rd Corps!
Reenforcements – No more!
Annihilation – ignored!
Davou ending – the war!
Like no one – before!
The Prussians are torn!
The iron marshall – is born!
For 3rd Corp!

3rd corps strikes like lightning’s wrath,
At Auerstedt, he carves the bloody path.
While at Jena, Napoleon’s force unfolds,
The Prussians falter as the story is told.

Get in line, there is no second chance,
The Prussian line will break under France.

Alone fights – 3rd Corps!
Reenforcements – No more!
Annihilation – ignored!
Davou ending – the war!
Like no one – before!
The Prussians are torn!
The iron marshall – is born!
For 3rd Corp!

On the Saale’s banks, the cannons roar,
The Empire’s might will even the score.
October 14th, the date of their fall,
Napoleon’s triumph echoes through all.

Hohenlohe’s forces crumble and flee,
At Jena, they fall on bended knee.
While Brunswick’s men at Auerstedt break,
The twin victories will history remake.

Get in line, there is no second chance,
The Prussian line will break under France.

Alone fights – 3rd Corps!
Reenforcements – No more!
Annihilation – ignored!
Davou ending – the war!
Like no one – before!
The Prussians are torn!
The iron marshall – is born!
For 3rd Corp!

Alone fights – 3rd Corps!
Reenforcements – No more!
Annihilation – ignored!
Davou ending – the war!
Like no one – before!
The Prussians are torn!
The iron marshall – is born!
For 3rd Corp!

For 3rd Corp!
The iron marshall – is born!

Historical Background

In short: The song is about Napoleons Victory at the Battle of Jena and Auerstedt in 1806.

Iron Marshal – How Davout Crushed Prussia in a Single Day

Some generals follow orders. Others rewrite history.

Iron Marshal isn’t just about Napoleon’s victory over Prussia—it’s about one of the greatest battlefield performances of all time. On October 14, 1806, Napoleon’s Grand Army shattered the Prussian forces at the Battles of Jena and Auerstedt.

But the real hero that day wasn’t Napoleon—it was Marshal Louis-Nicolas Davout, who single-handedly defeated an entire Prussian army with just his 3rd Corps.

This is how one man and one corps destroyed Prussia’s military in a single day.

The Prussian Gamble – A Fight for Survival

“Napoleon marches forth on Prussian ground. In the distance, hear the cannon sound.”

By 1806, Prussia saw Napoleon’s dominance over Europe and decided they wouldn’t stand by any longer. King Frederick William III of Prussia declared war, hoping to defeat France before reinforcements could arrive.

Napoleon moved fast, splitting his army to engage the Prussians on two fronts:

  • At Jena, Napoleon fought Prince Hohenlohe, expecting it to be the main Prussian force.
  • At Auerstedt, Marshal Davout’s 3rd Corps—only 26,000 men—encountered the actual main Prussian army of 63,000 under Duke of Brunswick.

The French were outnumbered more than 2-to-1—but Davout didn’t break.

Davout’s Stand – The Impossible Victory

“Alone fights – 3rd Corps! Reinforcements – no more! Annihilation – ignored! Davou ending – the war!”

At Auerstedt, Davout’s 3rd Corps held their ground against wave after wave of Prussian attacks. Despite being outnumbered and outgunned, Davout’s men fought with iron discipline.

  • French infantry formed perfect squares, repelling Prussian cavalry charges.
  • French artillery cut down advancing Prussian forces.
  • Prussian commanders hesitated, unsure how a small force was holding them back.

“3rd Corps strikes like lightning’s wrath, at Auerstedt, he carves the bloody path.”

Then, Davout ordered a counterattack.

His men pushed forward, broke the Prussian lines, and forced a full-scale retreat. The mighty Prussian army collapsed, and their commander, the Duke of Brunswick, was mortally wounded.

Napoleon’s Victory at Jena – A Double Defeat

“While at Jena, Napoleon’s force unfolds, the Prussians falter as the story is told.”

At the same time, Napoleon’s main army crushed Hohenlohe’s forces at Jena. But Napoleon believed he was fighting the main Prussian army—he had no idea that Davout had already defeated the real threat at Auerstedt.

When Napoleon learned what happened, he was in total disbelief. Davout had defeated an entire army with just his 3rd Corps—an achievement almost unheard of in history.

Aftermath – The Fall of Prussia

“On the Saale’s banks, the cannons roar, the Empire’s might will even the score.”

The Prussian army was destroyed. Within weeks, Napoleon’s Grand Army marched into Berlin, and Prussia’s power was shattered.

For his incredible victory, Davout was given the title “Duke of Auerstedt”. He was known as the “Iron Marshal”, the only one of Napoleon’s marshals to never lose a battle.

“The iron marshal is born!”

Why Iron Marshal Still Matters

“Hohenlohe’s forces crumble and flee, at Jena, they fall on bended knee.”

The Battles of Jena-Auerstedt weren’t just victories—they destroyed Prussia’s old military system.

  • It proved that discipline and strategy could overcome superior numbers.
  • It marked the beginning of Prussia’s downfall—until they rebuilt and avenged their defeat in 1813.
  • It cemented Davout’s place as one of the greatest commanders in history.

Even Napoleon himself admitted that Davout’s victory at Auerstedt was greater than his own at Jena.

The Lesson?

Great battles aren’t always won by emperors.

Sometimes, a single commander and a single corps can change the fate of a war.

And on October 14, 1806, the Iron Marshal proved it.

About Niels

Niels believes every historical event has its own rhythm, every era its unique melody, and every story its untold song. He brings history to life, capturing the essence of pivotal moments, fascinating figures, and the cultural transformations that shaped our world. His work makes history not only informative but deeply emotional and memorable.

On this website, you’ll discover his latest songs, insights into his creative process, and curated playlists of his favorite historical tunes. Join Niels on this melodic adventure where every note tells a story, and every story inspires a song.


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