Lily Marlene

 

 

 

 

Lily Marlene was the most popular song of the Second World War.  It was based upon a poem written by a German soldier in World War 1.  By the end of the Second World War, soldiers of nearly every army in the world had heard it’s haunting tune. 

 

It was first heard coming from the German lines in Africa, by the Desert Rats, who would also sing the song in German.  Eventually, it was translated into English.

 

The Nazis tried to ban the song when they heard it, but even they knew that banning such a popular song would have adversely affected the morale of the German troops.  The most famous person to sing the song was the famous anti-Nazi campaigner Marlene Dietrich.

 

 

English

 

Underneath the lantern by the barrack 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 lamplight, 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 lamplight,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 lamplight, 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 lamplight, My own Lili Marlene.

 

You wait where that lantern softly gleams,
Your sweet face seems to haunt my dreams,
My Lili of the lamplight, My own Lili Marlene.

German

 

Bei der Kaserne, vor dem grossen Tor,
Steht eine Laterne und steht sie noch davor.
Da wollen wir uns wiedersehn,
Bei der Laterne wolln wir stehn,
Wie einst Lilli Marleen, wie einst Lilli Marleen.

 

Unsre beiden Schatten,  sehn wie einer aus,
Dass wir lieb uns hatten, dass sah man
gleich daraus. Und alle Leute wolln es sehn,
Denn wir bei der Laterne stehn,
Wie einst Lillli Marleen, wie einst Lilli Marleen.

 

Deine Schritte kennt sie, deinen schoenen Gang.
Alle Abend brennt sie, mich vergass sie lang.
Und sollte mir ein Leid geschehn,
Wer will bei der Laterne stehn,
Mit dir Lilli Marleen, Mit dir Lilli Marleen?

 

Aus dem tiefen Raume, aus der Erde Grund,
Hebt mich wie im Traume dein verliebter Mund.
Wenn sich die spaeten Nebel drehn,
Wer wird bei der Laterne stehn,
Mit dir Lilli Marleen, mit dir Lilli Marleen.

 

Wenn sich die spaeten Nebel drehn,
Wer wird bei der Laterne stehn,
Mit dir Lilli Marleen, mit dir Lilli Marleen.

 

 

 

 Lily Marlene – British version

 

Lily Marlene – German version