Singing, on the march and off

rolfwaldmann · Post by **rolfwaldmann** » Sat Jun 29, 2013 7:58 am

I've been in reenactment for at least three years now and apart from at War and Peace last year, when a load of actual Germans sat on the engine-less Panther and sang into the night, I've never heard any reenactors singing, either on the march or around the campfire.

I find it distinctly annoying, particularly when there is a fine tradition of military singing throughout history, especially in the World War 2 German army.

And everyone should know by now that there are a load of non-political marching songs, some of which are still sung by the modern German army, e.g. Erika, Lore Lore Lore, wenn die soldaten, westerwald, you could even include perhaps the Battle of the Bulge (movie) version of Panzerlied which is just the first verse of the song repeated.

Some people might think its wet to sing, well just watch Zulu, Battle of the Bulge and Full Metal Jacket for a start. There are also at least two vids on youtube of British soldiers and Dutch MP's singing on the Nijmegan marches.

So, if anyone is interested in getting together at events to practice military singing, I am certainly interested in getting something going on this. Can't do War and Peace this year I am afraid, but I will be at Detling.

As the officer in the Battle of the Bulge said: SING! LOUDER!!!

And yes, this is a rant!

rolfwaldmann · Post by **rolfwaldmann** » Sat Jun 29, 2013 8:24 am

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPzTGx96P6U

Halle · Post by **Halle** » Sat Jun 29, 2013 10:21 am

You're right of course , singing was very much part of a soldiers life - I'm all for practicing at an event , though I don't get to too many these days , and most of the ones I know are GJ or traditional Alpine songs , though by no means all - fancy singing a few of those ?

" Ein Tyroler , wollte jagen , einen Gemsbok Gemsbok Silbergrau ..."

rolfwaldmann · Post by **rolfwaldmann** » Sat Jun 29, 2013 3:17 pm

Oh yeah, sounds good Halle, I am really interested in the German folk tradition too, which comes out a lot in German music from what I can see... I don't know any of those alpine songs though so would be great if you could teach me some,

rolfwaldmann · Post by **rolfwaldmann** » Sat Jun 29, 2013 3:20 pm

Bearing in mind that I am very slowly trying to learn German as well at the same time,

Jaws · Post by **Jaws** » Sat Jun 29, 2013 11:15 pm

Singing in German for a English speaking person is very difficult.

I commend all who try, and maybe fail half way through,

for giving it a go!

I once marched off a private training event with my unit, singing in german, it was commended by all

We even had some British paras fall in with us

If you get it right, it's wonderful. Get it wrong...

Regards,

Gary

rolfwaldmann · Post by **rolfwaldmann** » Sat Jun 29, 2013 11:33 pm

Well I am enjoying it so far, what little I know...

Jaws · Post by **Jaws** » Sat Jun 29, 2013 11:39 pm

Oh, I love it mate! I've always wanted to be able to sing "silent night" in German... now I know the first verse

But it's getting the rest of the lads to do it, that's your problem

I'm always trying to learn new songs... I daren't go to my local German bar, I might get drunk then start singing

Regards,

Gary.

Halle · Post by **Halle** » Sun Jun 30, 2013 6:36 am

Excellent ! Looks like we have the beginnings of a choir

We just need Herr Leutnant Ulrich to raise a band

Jaws is right , German with an English accent is awful , aber , Ubung macht den Meister , Ja ?

rolfwaldmann · Post by **rolfwaldmann** » Sun Jun 30, 2013 10:00 am

Yeah it probably is, but never mind... I still want to do it even with an English accent...just love the language, particularly in song

rolfwaldmann · Post by **rolfwaldmann** » Sun Jun 30, 2013 10:03 am

Jaws wrote:Oh, I love it mate! I've always wanted to be able to sing "silent night" in German... now I know the first verse

But it's getting the rest of the lads to do it, that's your problem

I'm always trying to learn new songs... I daren't go to my local German bar, I might get drunk then start singing

Regards,

Gary.

Ha, ha, yes exactly. This all started again recently with me when Stefan in our group posted a comment on our forum saying that we should get together and learn some songs, so I said to him basically "well have tried it before". But its okay, singing is not everyone's taste and that's fine, but it would still be great to get a choir together, even better to have a load of German troops marching around at Detling or somewhere singing panzerlied or Erika or something, I am sure it would look great and the public would love it...

ssparatrooper · Post by **ssparatrooper** » Sun Jun 30, 2013 5:01 pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ba3baBS8gbo

we have been doing it for years

rolfwaldmann · Post by **rolfwaldmann** » Mon Jul 01, 2013 2:03 pm

ssparatrooper wrote:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ba3baBS8gbo

we have been doing it for years

That's brilliant.... yes that's what we want to hear

rolfwaldmann · Post by **rolfwaldmann** » Wed Jul 03, 2013 5:54 am

Looks like Bee is into it too and possibly one other chap. I've started a WW2 Reenactors Singing Group on Facebook so if you're on there sign up

rolfwaldmann · Post by **rolfwaldmann** » Wed Jul 03, 2013 6:18 am

WW2 Reenactors singing group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/4157148 ... p_activity

wwii axis reenactment forum

forum for axis reenactors, living history, wehrmacht ss reenacting

Singing, on the march and off

Singing, on the march and off

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