A question about 'The Flag'.
I'm going to a German organised Oktoberfest on Friday with some German friends. (OK, I know it's technically in November, but this is in China). Would my renowned baritone rendition of 'The flag flies high from the masthead' be appropriate?
PS. Don't mention the war. |
I think you mean 'Don't mention zer vor!!!'.
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Probably better than my rendition of the Panzerlied!
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I'm an avid singer of the Flag and have attempted to translate it back into German. On more than a few occasions I've asked current Luftwaffe lads to help me out in that department with no luck.
Anyone have the German lyrics? Or any other decent song auf Deutsch? |
Does anyone have a set of the 'correct' lyrics ? (in English please)
Regards TSM |
I only ever knew 2 verses. Are there more? I could type the words but the internet police would probably arrest me for typing 'Si*g He*l'. Alternatively I could ask the 2 German guys I work with for a translation but I am not very keen on hospital food so I will get my coat, call a taxi and leave.
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Perhaps this may raise a few eyebrows.
Horst Wessel Lied Die Fahne hoch die Reihen fest geschlossen S. A. marschiert mit ruhig festem Schritt Kam'raden die Rotfront und Reaktion erschossen Marschier'n im Geist in unsern Reihen mit Die Strasse frei den braunen Batallionen Die Strasse frei dem Sturmabteilungsmann Es schau'n auf's Hackenkreuz voll Hoffung schon Millionen Der Tag fur Freiheit und fur Brot bricht an Zum letzen Mal wird nun Appell geblasen Zum Kampfe steh'n wir alle schon bereit Bald flattern Hitler-fahnen Uber allen Strassen Die Knechtschaft dauert nur mehr kurze Zeit Die Fahne hoch die Reihen fest geschlossen S. A. marschiert mit ruhig festem Schritt Kam'raden die Rotfront und Reaktion erschossen Marschier'n im Geist in unsern Reihen mit Translation Flag high, ranks closed, The S.A. marches with silent solid steps. Comrades shot by the red front and reaction march in spirit with us in our ranks. The street free for the brown battalions, The street free for the Storm Troopers. Millions, full of hope, look up at the swastika; The day breaks for freedom and for bread. For the last time the call will now be blown; For the struggle now we all stand ready. Soon will fly Hitler-flags over every street; Slavery will last only a short time longer. Flag high, ranks closed, The S.A. marches with silent solid steps. Comrades shot by the red front and reaction march in spirit with us in our ranks. |
GPMG - If the Luftwaffe 'Flag' was a possibility of raising eyebrows then I guess the Horst Wessel Lied is a Cert!
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Hmmm. Looks nothing like the one I used to enjoy singing, especially outside Smoky Joe's (?) in East Berlin in the good old days. But whatever the words, I wouldn't embarrass my German friends by singing it at an Oktoberfest if I was you, Dan.
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The Flag
The Flag flies high on the masthead,
We'll drink to the glory of the Reich. No longer will we tremble, At England's military might. Chorus: So give to me your hand, Fraulein. Your lily-white hand, Fraulein For tonight we march against England, England's island shores, island shores, island shores, Sieg Heil! And if I fall in battle And sink to the bottom of the sea (Big splash!) Remember this, my Fraulein, My blood was spilt for thee! So give to me, your hand, Fraulein etc etc |
Oktoberfest
Dan Winterland
Don't do anything until an hour or so into the celebrations, and if the party is any good at all, no-one will notice what you are singing or probably hear you above the general din....., but every ten minutes or so, in the best British tradition...., get up on the table....., drop your lederhosen and give them Oggy... Oggy... Oggy and see what transpires.....!!! The Chinese will probably think its a well practised Western custom and join in.... By the way, this years Munich Oktober BeerFest was the last week in September..., managed Monday and Tuesday evenings and good time was had by all....., so nothing new in this festivity falling outside the month of October...!!! Anyway..., the most imprtant thing is to have a good time...., GengisK :ok: |
Have a look at http://www.germaniainternational.com/luft3.html. Providing you talk it over with your German friends first, I don't see a problem with this. If you pick the song carefully, no offence should be taken (famous last words!) A traditional Unit song is still that, no matter which war it was sung in. Best to avoid Wir Fliegen Gegen England, though.
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When on TTTE at Cottesmore, I was invited to a BBQ at one of my German friends house, and performed the Flag quite late on in the evening.
It was received in stunned silence, apart from the quiet sobbing of my host's wife. It may have been my John Cleese goose step that clinched it. I was given a lift home shortly after. So, I'd say it would be a bad idea. |
I'd previously found this site: http://ingeb.org/Lieder/heutewow.html
which has these lyrics: 1. Heute wollen wir ein Liedlein singen, Trinken wollen wir den kühlen Wein Und die Gläser sollen dazu klingen, Denn es muß, es muß geschieden sein. Refrain: Gib' mir deine Hand, deine weiße Hand, Leb' wohl, mein Schatz, leb' wohl mein Schatz, Leb' wohl, lebe wohl Denn wir fahren, denn wir fahren, Denn wir fahren gegen Engeland, Engeland. 2. Unsre Flagge und die wehet auf dem Maste, Sie verkündet unsres Reiches Macht, Denn wir wollen es nicht länger leiden, Daß der Englischmann darüber lacht. Refrain: 3. Kommt die Kunde, daß ich bin gefallen, Daß ich schlafe in der Meeresflut, Weine nicht um mich, mein Schatz, und denke: Für das Vaterland da floß sein Blut. Refrain: It's not exactly the same as the English version (well, it's in German for a start), but it's close enough. But to be honest, I think you're best NOT singing it or any other WW2 song. If you really want to do something of that ilk, then the least offensive is probably Lili Marleen: 1. Vor der Kaserne Vor dem großen Tor Stand eine Laterne Und steht sie noch davor So woll'n wir uns da wieder seh'n Bei der Laterne wollen wir steh'n |: Wie einst Lili Marleen. :| 2. Unsere beide Schatten Sah'n wie einer aus Daß wir so lieb uns hatten Das sah man gleich daraus Und alle Leute soll'n es seh'n Wenn wir bei der Laterne steh'n |: Wie einst Lili Marleen. :| 3. Schon rief der Posten, Sie blasen Zapfenstreich Das kann drei Tage kosten Kam'rad, ich komm sogleich Da sagten wir auf Wiedersehen Wie gerne wollt ich mit dir geh'n |: Mit dir Lili Marleen. :| 4. Deine Schritte kennt sie, Deinen zieren Gang Alle Abend brennt sie, Doch mich vergaß sie lang Und sollte mir ein Leids gescheh'n Wer wird bei der Laterne stehen |: Mit dir Lili Marleen? :| 5. Aus dem stillen Raume, Aus der Erde Grund Hebt mich wie im Traume Dein verliebter Mund Wenn sich die späten Nebel drehn Werd' ich bei der Laterne steh'n |: Wie einst Lili Marleen. :| fairly literal tr. by Frank, 1998 At the barracks compound, By the entry way There a lantern I found And if it stands today Then we'll see each other again Near that old lantern we'll remain As once Lili Marleen. Both our shadows meeting, Melding into one Our love was not fleeting And plain to everyone, Then all the people shall behold When we stand by that lantern old As once Lili Marleen. Then the guard to me says: "There's tap call, let's go. This could cost you three days." "Be there in half a mo'." So that was when we said farewell, Tho' with you I would rather dwell, With you, Lili Marleen. 4. Well she knows your foot steps, Your own determined gait. Ev'ry evening waiting, Me? A mem'ry of late. Should something e'er happen to me, Who will under the lantern be, With you Lili Marleen? 5. From my quiet existence, And from this earthly pale, Like a dream you free me, With your lips so hale. When the night mists swirl and churn, Then to that lantern I'll return, As once Lili Marleen. The WW2 English Version (c/o Vera Lynn and a bit more cheerful!) Underneath the lantern, By the barrack gate Darling I remember The way you used to wait T'was there that you whispered tenderly, That you loved me, You'd always be, My Lilli of the Lamplight, My own Lilli Marlene Time would come for roll call, Time for us to part, Darling I'd caress you And press you to my heart, And there 'neath that far-off lantern light, I'd hold you tight , We'd kiss good night, My Lilli of the Lamplight, My own Lilli Marlene Orders came for sailing, Somewhere over there All confined to barracks was more than I could bear I knew you were waiting in the street I heard your feet, But could not meet, My Lilly of the Lamplight, my own Lilly Marlene Resting in our billets, Just behind the lines Even tho' we're parted, Your lips are close to mine You wait where that lantern softly gleams, Your sweet face seems To haunt my dreams My Lilly of the Lamplight, My own Lilly Marlene |
Try this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqlE9eNWYj4 Ob's stürmt oder schneit, Ob die Sonne uns lacht, Der Tag glühend heiß Oder eiskalt die Nacht. Bestaubt sind die Gesichter, Doch froh ist unser Sinn, Ist unser Sinn; Es braust unser Panzer Im Sturmwind dahin. Mit donnernden Motoren, Geschwind wie der Blitz, Dem Feinde entgegen, Im Panzer geschützt. Voraus den Kameraden, Im Kampf steh'n wir allein, Steh'n wir allein, So stoßen wir tief In die feindlichen Reihn. Wenn vor uns ein feindliches Heer dann erscheint, Wird Vollgas gegeben Und ran an den Feind! Was gilt denn unser Leben Für unsres Reiches Heer? Ja Reiches Heer? Für Deutschland zu sterben Ist uns höchste Ehr. Mit Sperren und Minen Hält der Gegner uns auf, Wir lachen darüber Und fahren nicht drauf. Und droh'n vor uns Geschütze, Versteckt im gelben Sand, Im gelben Sand, Wir suchen uns Wege, Die keiner sonst fand. Und läßt uns im Stich Einst das treulose Glück, Und kehren wir nicht mehr Zur Heimat zurück, Trifft uns die Todeskugel, Ruft uns das Schicksal ab, Ja Schicksal ab, Dann wird uns der Panzer Ein ehernes Grab. Also at http://www.rctankcombat.com/audio/obssturb.mp3 |
Apart from Lili Marleen, I wouldn't touch any of those songs with a barge pole if you don't want your German friends to become your German ex-friends.
I can't think of anything more obnoxious in modern German society than to equate todays Germany to anything that came out the "National Socialist Terror Regime" as the period 1933-1945 is now referred to. |
Originally Posted by k3k3
(Post 2941164)
Apart from Lili Marleen, I wouldn't touch any of those songs with a barge pole if you don't want your German friends to become your German ex-friends.
I can't think of anything more obnoxious in modern German society than to equate todays Germany to anything that came out the "National Socialist Terror Regime" as the period 1933-1945 is now referred to. The whole idea of singing the Flag is a pretty stupid one if I may say so. PC rubbish aside, if you have German colleagues, the last thing they want to hear is your badly pronounced rendition of an old Nazi song. What came over you for God's sake? |
Before we get carried away, lads, let's remember that not every German military song "came out the "National Socialist Terror Regime"". Many of them date from before Germany was unified and from Imperial Austria. If he wants to sing one that his German friends are happy with, then what's the problem? Is starting a war that you lose a disqualification to having a military history and culture? The Treaty of Versailles robbed the Germans of their dignity and it seems odd that nothing has been learned from that. Apart from a couple of megalomaniac inspired aberrations, they have a proud and honourable history. It's little wonder that they are reluctant to put combat Units in the field with this continuing over sensitivity.
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I suggest you look at the origins of the miltary songs quoted, I think you'll find they all came from the time of the "aberrations". The Imperial German and Austro-Hungarian Empires didn't have panzers or Brownshirts, nor did they march against England,
You are right, there are plenty of good German military songs, but none of those above are in that category. |
I'd forget the singing and stick to the Morris Dancing :)
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