Lili Marlene
Just finished listening to that great old German soldiers’ love song, Lili Marlene. It’s a masterfully melancholy old lay:
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,
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,
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,
With you, Lili Marleen.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,
With you, Lili Marleen?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,
As once, Lili Marleen.
It has been translated into many languages, including Latin.
