The song "Lili Marlene"

[steve roberts]

This song which became synonomous with the German AFRICA CORPS,was also adopted by Brithish and American soldiers during WW2.Troops in italy even adapted the song to "We Are The D-Day Dodgers" to counter a speach by Lady Astor!The words were originally written as a poem in 1915 by Hans Leip a soldier in WW1.It was set to music and additonal words added by Norbert Schultze in 1938 and recorded by Lale Aderson 1n 1939.English lyrics which differ from the German somewhat where written by Tommie Connor much later on.The record was somewhat of a failure until the German Army set up a propaganda radio station in Belgrade,called "Soldatensender Belgrad" An officer on leave in Vienna was asked to get some records for the station and amongst the second hand pile of records was "Lili Marlene"At first the German propoganda Ministery ordered the playing of this song to stop as the original writer was Jewish and the song was not consider "Martial" enough.Hundreds of German soldiers in the Med area wrote asking for the song to be played again,and the station used it as their signing off song. The rest is history.A full storyof this can be found on http:/en.wikipedia.org/lilimarlene.Regards to all Steve Roberts

[Guz rating]

Hi Steve I missed this one, the story I heard was that the song was about a soldier, who had a date with his girlfriend and she always waited by the lamp post by the barracks gate. But his regiment was confined to barracks, and moved to the front the next day. And wrote that poem to his girlfriend, it must be true because my Mom told me that story.

Take care mate

Alan

[steve roberts]

Hi Alan.That is the story behind it,except it was WW1 not 2! As I stated it was a particular favorite of the Deutches Afrika Korps,and thats where our lads picked it up from. I will Post the English lyrics to rattle a few Cobwebs!!!

LILI MARLENE

Underneath the lantern,by the barrack's gate,
Darling I remember the way you used to wait.
'Twas there that you whispered tenderly,
That you loved me.You'd always be,
My Lili of the lamp light, My own Lili 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 Lili of the lamp-light,my own Lili 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 Lili of the lamp-light,my own Lili Marlene.

Resting in a billet,just behind the line,
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 Lili of the lamp light,My own Lili Marlene

This is of course the English Translation as the original German would not be acceptable to everyone. I have taken the liberty of attaching a photo of the typical type of person,this song appealed too.Regards Steve.
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[stewart mcloughlin]

My father was out in the Western Desert so I learned of this song during our 'nights by the fireside' in the 50's.
You can hear it sung by various artists, and download it, at:-
http://ingeb.org/garb/lmarleen.html
I use it with one of my talks of one of our village casualties who was out there. It never fails to bring the hair up on the back of your neck, and a tear in the eye. All the members of the older generation seem to know the words.
Stewart

[Guz rating]

My father was out in the Western Desert so I learned of this song during our 'nights by the fireside' in the 50's.
You can hear it sung by various artists, and download it, at:-
http://ingeb.org/garb/lmarleen.html
I use it with one of my talks of one of our village casualties who was out there. It never fails to bring the hair up on the back of your neck, and a tear in the eye. All the members of the older generation seem to know the words.
Stewart

Stewart thank you for the link I enjoyed reading the words of the German WW2 songs. Like you that song "Lili Marleen"is very much a part of my early childhood.

Kindest Regards

Alan

[Ednamay]

""This is of course the English Translation as the original German would not be acceptable to everyone.""

There are some variations in the German versions, including one that makes him late back to barracks (because it was difficult to leave her!) and therefore confined to barracks; when he next gets there, she is, yes, under the streetlamp - but with someone else!!!!!!

Such is life!! .............. Edna

[steve roberts]

Hi Edna. Once again you are right. I will post the German version for those that are interested and may be can spot the differences.

LILE MARLEN
Vor der Kaserne,
Vor dem grossen Tor,
Stand ein Laterne,
Und steht sie noch davor,
So wollen wir uns da wiedersehen,
wenn wie bei der Laterne stehen,
Wie eisnt Lili Marlene,
Wie einst Lili Marlene.

Unser beide Schatten,
Sahen wie einer aus,
Dass wie einer aus,
Das wir so lieb uns hatten,
Das sah man gleich daraus.
Und alle Leute sollen es stehen,
Wenn wir bei der Laterne stehen,
Wie eisnt Lili Marlene,
Wie einst Lili Marlene.

Schon rief der Posten,
" Sie blasen Zapfentreich "
Das kann drei, "Auf Weidersehen",
Wie gerne wollt ich mit dir gehen,
Mit dir Lili Marlene,
Mit dir Lili Marlene.

Deine Schritte kennt sie,
Deinen zieren Gang.
Alle Abend brennt Sie,
Doch mich vergrass Sie lang,
Und sollte mir ein Leids geschenhen,
Wer wird der Lanterne stehen,
Mit dir, Lili Marlene,
Mit dir Lili Marlene?

Aus dem stillen Raume,
Aus der Erde Grund,
Hebt mich wie im Traume,
Dein verliebter Mund.
Wennsich die spaten Nebel drehen,
Werde ich bei der Laterne stehen,
Wie einst Lili Marlene,
Wie einst Lili Marlene.

For those who can speak even a little German,you can see this is a totally different version,but is the original! The nuance of the German language grammar made it almost unpractical to trans late!! As a Matter of interest.The song as I have stated was sung originally by Lale Adersen,and was a total flop.Once picked up by the German Radio Belgrade,it's fame knew no bounds. Lale is buried in her home town of Lehe Germany,and even has a Statue of her errected,under a Lamp Post to remeber this famous song.Many Regards Steve.
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[neil6814]

Steve
I hope that you don't think that I am nit picking but the statue and grave are actually on the Island of Langeoog in the East Friesian Islands. Lale Andersen retired to Langeoog just before the end of the war. The water tower in the Back ground is just abovethe beach.

[steve roberts]

Hi Neil.I stand corrected.They say dont trust Wiki information.Sorry for that.Thank you for putting it right. Steve.:o

[steve roberts]

I forgot to mention that you can listen to both versions of this song on U-Tube. Regards Steve.:)

[steve roberts]

Another interesting fact about the song! When "Monty" took over the 8th Army in North Africa.He was dismayed at the awe and fear and seemingly like of Rommel.He set out to de-humanise the myth of the man,and part of this was to ban the singing or listening to this song.Never worked though.Rommel was still considered to be a humane and brilliant general by the Allied troops,and as for the song? Well the rest is history. Regards Steve.:D

[Ednamay]

Yes, yes, yes! Haunting - but, to get the true essence, go to utube and listen to Marlene Dietrich sing it in German - sends shivers up and down your spine! (Well, it does mine, anyway!) That throaty, contralto voice!! Oh, my!

Edna

[steve roberts]

Hi Bee. Ifully agree with you Malene Dietrich's version is by far the best,especially sung in German.Like a lot of German songs(Stillige Nacht being a good example) They sound the best untranslated. Many regards Steve.:cool:

[stewart mcloughlin]

Steve,
Seems 'Monty' was "off message" with his Boss, for Churchill, in the 'vote of confidence speech' in January 1942, described Rommel as a "...very daring and skilful opponent and ... a great general."
My father, who was out in the Western Desert, recalled that one of Monty's first orders was to close down the Egyptian brothels, for there were more men off sick with 'the clap' than were out with battle injuries.
Stewart

[r.morrison]

Sung by certain french soldiers until this day too, in a french version that has little to do with the original.....................

[steve roberts]

Hi R Morrison.(thats a bit formal any other name or nickname) I have only just caught your post.I believe the Foreign Legion still use the song,but with as you say completely different words.Another example of this is the song "Panzerlied" used by the Legion as "Kepi Blanc". Regards Steve.

[qprdave]

Here is the full Lyrics to the "D-Day Dodgers

There is a third version of this but my Dad never sang it while we were around!!!!!!!!!!!

There is a song the Eighth Army used to sing,
Marching through the desert, marching with a swing
But now they're on a different game
Although the tune is still the same
The words have all been altered,
The words we're singing still...

We're the D-Day Dodgers, here in Italy
Drinking all the vino, always on a spree
We didn't land with Eisenhower
And so they think we're just a shower
For we're the D-Day Dodgers
Out here in Italy

We're the D-Day dodgers, out here in Italy
Always drinking vino, always on a spree
Eighth Army scroungers and their tanks
We go to war in ties, like swanks
We are the D-Day Dodgers
Way out in Italy

Here's to Lady Astor, our pin up girl out here
She's the dear old lady, who sends us such good beer
And when we get our Astor band
We'll be the proudest in the land
For we're the D-Day Dodgers
Out here in Italy

We landed in Salerno, a holiday with pay
Jerry brought the band out to cheer us on our way
Showed us the sights and gave us tea
We all sang songs, the beer was free
To welcome D-Day Dodgers
To sunny Italy

Salerno and Cassino, were taken in our stride
We didn't go to fight there, we went there for the ride
Anzio and Sanzio were just names
We only went to look for dames
The artful D-Day Dodgers
Out here in Italy

Around Lake Trasimano, we had a lovely time
Bags of wine and women, they didn't cost a dime
Base wallahs, amgot and the Yanks
All stayed in Rome to dodge the tanks
For we're the D-Day Dodgers
Out here in Italy

We stayed a week in Florence, polished off the wine
Then thumbed our way to Rimini, through the Gothic Line
Soon to Bologna we will go
When Jerry's gone across the Po
For we're the D-Day Dodgers
The lads that D-Day dodged

We hear the boys in France are going home on leave
After six months service, it's a shame they're not relieved
But we can carry on out here
For what may be a few more years
For we're the D-Day Dodgers
Out here in Italy

Once we heard a rumour we were going home
Back to dear old Blighty, never more to roam
Then someone said in France you'll fight
We answered: "No, we'll just sit tight!"
For we're the D-Day Dodgers
The lads that D-Day dodged

When the war is over and we've done our bit
Climbing over mountains, through mud and sleet and ----,
Then we will all be sent out east
Till B.L.A. have been released
For we're the D-Day Dodgers,
Out here in Italy.

Forgotten by the many, remembered by the few
We'd our armistice when an armestice was new
One million Germans gave up to us
We finished our war without much fuss
For we're the D-Day Dodgers
Out here in Italy

Dearest Lady Astor, you think you're mighty hot
Standing on the platform, talking tommy rot
Dear England's sweetheart and her pride
We think your mouth's too bleedin' wide
From all the D-Day Dodgers
In sunny Italy

If you look around the mountains in the mud and rain
You'll find scattered crosses, some which bear no name
Heart break and toil and suffering gone
The boys beneath them slumber on
For they're the D-Day Dodgers
Who stayed in Italy


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SE5Cgvc3JqU

[steve roberts]

Hi Dave.I have that version on my Real Player list.It is a direct dig at the MP Lady Astor who called the Eighth Army "D-Day Dodgers" which of course they took umbrage at,and utilised a well known song to have a dig at her.Never has a truer word been spoken,as it is in this Version.. Many Regards Steve.

[qprdave]

Hi Dave.I have that version on my Real Player list.It is a direct dig at the MP Lady Astor who called the Eighth Army "D-Day Dodgers" which of course they took umbrage at,and utilised a well known song to have a dig at her.Never has a truer word been spoken,as it is in this Version.. Many Regards Steve.

I knew this

My Dad was a Desert Rat and a D-Day Dodger.

I heard about it all my childhood

He never had a good word about Lady Astor

Dave

[doug.birch]

Hi to you all,I remember the song very well it was always on the radio,I also remember lady Aster,for she was the one who tried to stop submariners from getting their extra money after she made 1 trip on a Sub. Doug.Birch

[steve roberts]

Hi Doug.Thanks for that extra snippet of information.As a former submariner I never knew she tried to do that.A pity the boat did not go down,with her as the only loss! Regards Steve.:mad:

[steve roberts]

While trawling the net for something completely different I happened upon this strange version of this song.
German first,then Translation.

Lili Marleen ( U-Boat Version)

Auf dem Atlantik,auf dem weiten meer,
Schwimmet unser U-Boat so langsam hin und her,
Und wenn wir denn auf Tief gehn,
So hab'n wir meistens 'was gesehn,
Wie bei dir, Lili Marleen,
Wie bei dir,Lilil Marleen.

Plottzlich ruft der Posten:
"Rauchfahne voraus!"
Das kann drie Aale kosten und macht uns gar
Nicht aus,
Denn sollten sie daneben gehn,
Kann uns daraus kien Lied entstehn,
Wie bei dir, Lili Marleen,
Wie bei dir, Lili Marleen.

Wenn die Spanten kracchen,und das Licht
Geht aus,
Und wir sacken tiefer,das macht uns gar nichts aus,
Und wenn wir denn auf Tiefe gehn,
Bei tausend Meter bleib'n wir stehhn,
Wie bei dir,Lili Marleen,
Wie bei dir Lili Marlene.

Wir sind ja Artisten, wir mauchen uns
Nichts draus,
Und aus jeder Tiefe steig'n wir gemutlich aus,
Bei tausend Metern wird's erst schon,
Wenn wir zu Fuss nach Hause gehn,
Wie bei dir, Lili Marleen,
Wei bei dir,Lili Marleen:

Translation.
On the Atlantic,on the wide sea,
Swims our U-Boat so slowly to and fro,
And if we go to deopth,
It's because we have usually seen something,
As with you,Lili Marleen,
As with you,Lili Marleen.

Suddenly shouts the guard:
"Smoke ahead!"
That can cost us three and still not quite do it,
Because they should slip past,
For us no misfortune can arise from that,
As with you, Lili Marleen,
As with you,Lili Marleen.

When the bulkheads crack,and the lights go out,
And we sink deeper,that still does not finish us,
And if we then go deep,
We will stand one thousand meters
As with you, Lili Marleen,
As with you,Lili Marleen.

Yes,we are artists,we make nothing out of it,
And from every depth,we climb comfortably out,
At a thousand meters it will be lovely,
If we have to walk home,
As with you,Lili Marleen,
As with you,Lili Marleen.

I was totally suprised that like the original version,this had not been Politicised,like so many German sea songs and folk songs had been.
It is supposed to feature in the film "Das Boot" but I honestly can not remember it from the film,must watch it again,as there are several songs,numerous of which I don't recall.
Most unusual version,but then the U-Boat crews were almost a law unto them selves.
Many regards Steve.

[Ednamay]

Thanks, Steve, I must borrow my son's dvd of 'das Boot', it is some time since I saw it, but I don't remember Lili Marleen in it, either.

Edna

[steve roberts]

Hi Edna.Have just checked out the sound track to "Das Boot".The "March" is played as the Boat is leaving the U-Boat pens at La Rochelle Franc,to go on patrol.There is a whole 1 minute 50 secs of it! No wonder we could not remeber it in the film!!!:D
Regards Steve.

[Ednamay]

Hi Edna.Have just checked out the sound track to "Das Boot".The "March" is played as the Boat is leaving the U-Boat pens at La Rochelle Franc,to go on patrol.There is a whole 1 minute 50 secs of it! No wonder we could not remeber it in the film!!!:D
Regards Steve.

Thanks, Steve - that saves me disturbing 'the lad'; tho' I should like to see "Das Boot" again - good for the language!!! (Which I am forgetting!)

Edna

[steve roberts]

Hi Edna.Yes it does make you brush up on your German,otherwise you miss half the point of the film by watching the sub-titles:D
Regards Steve.

[Ednamay]

Vielen Dank, mein Herr!

Edna