Bruckner entered it for a competition at the first Oberösterreichisches Sängerbundesfest, scheduled for August 1864 in Linz. Bruckner's original intention was to use the Zigeuner-Waldlied, a lost work (WAB 135), as basis for this entry, but after correspondence with Silberstein and his close friend Rudolf Weinwurm, Bruckner replaced it with the patriotic poem of the Viennese poet and journalist August Silberstein.
| Librettist | August Silberstein |
| Date of composition | 1864 (1863-1864) in Linz, Austria |
| Premiered | 1865, June 5th in Linz, Austria |
| First published | 1865 |
| Type | Cantata |
| Tonality | D Minor |
| Catalogue | WAB 70 |
| Approx. duration | 8 minutes |
| Instruments |
Male Chorus
4x Voice - Male voices ; 4x Cornetto 4x Trumpet 3x Trombone 3x Horn Baritone Horn Bass Tuba |
| Autotranslations beta |
Anton Bruckner: Germanenzug en ré mineur, WAB 70 Anton Bruckner: Germanenzug in re minore, WAB 70 Anton Bruckner: Germanenzug d-moll, WAB 70 |