Alte Kameraden Explained
"German: italic=no|Alte Kameraden" ("Old Comrades") is the title of a popular German military march.[1] It is included in the Armeemarschsammlung as HM II, 150.
History
The march was written around 1889 in Ulm, Germany, by military music composer Carl Teike.[2] Teike wrote many pieces for the marching band of Grenadier-Regiment König Karl (5. Württembergisches) No. 123. When bringing his newly composed march to the regiment, the Kapellmeister Oelte simply told him: "We've got plenty enough of musical marches, put this one in the stove!" This episode eventually led to Teike taking his leave of the band and naming the march as "Alte Kameraden". A publisher purchased the song from him for 25 German Goldmark. In 1895, the Nowaweser Kapelle Fritz Köhler premiered the march. Alte Kameraden later became one of the most popular marches in the world. It was played in 1937 at the coronation ceremony for English King George VI. The march can also be heard in the film Der blaue Engel. Teike later worked as a police officer but also continued composing military marches.[3]
According to one source, the march became popular among Finnish amateur photography clubs after "kameraden" was mistranslated to "cameramen" in Finnish.[4]
It is the official parade march for the Chilean Air Force's Non Commissioned Officers School. ("").
Lyrics
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| Old comrades on the march through the countryHold friendship rock solid and true.Whether in need or in dangerAlways together they keep it new. |
| During the attack, things happen fast,Victory will bring us glory and honor,Come, comrades, we shall reload,This is our marching music. |
| During maneuvers, the whole regimentTook quarters in a nearby villageAnd at the inn we had a flirtWith the girls and the landlord's daughter. |
| Laughing joking, laughing joking, today is todayTomorrow the whole regiment will be who knows how far away.Comrades, that parting is truly now our fateSo take up the glass and we shout "Cheers". |
| Old wine gives the strength of youth,Because the taste of wine is the elixir of life.Even if we are old, the heart stays youngAnd grand the memories. |
| Whether in joy, whether in need,We remain faithful unto death.Drink up and pour againAnd let's be old comrades. |
| Even if we are old, the heart stays young,Delighting in memories.Drink up and pour againAnd let's be old comrades. | |
Further reading
- Book: Döll, Karl Anton . Alte Kameraden . 1965 . 73323052 . de .
External links
Notes and References
- News: 2 June 1965 . Neue Kameraden . . Hamburg . de . 9 April 2019.
- News: Schröder . Dietrich . 7 May 2014 . Wie die "Alten Kameraden" nach Gorzów kamen . MOZ.de . Frankfurt an der Oder . Märkisches Medienhaus . de . 8 April 2019.
- News: Hohenstein . Erhart . 4 August 2007 . Weltberühmte "Alte Kameraden" . . Potsdam . 21 August 2020.
- Book: Kaup. Monika. Mixing Race, Mixing Culture: Inter-American Literary Dialogues. Rosenthal. Debra. 15 August 2002. University of Texas Press. 978-0-292-74348-9. en.
