Customer Reviews

Lil Marleen

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Yes, this recording of Lili Marlene by Lale Andersen appears to be the original version as played during WW-2. Of course it probably is a re-recording made after the war (because it actually sounds much too good to be taken from the original record), but at least the words are the original words that were sung during the war, by the original singer.

I am posting my translation below of these words as sung by Lale Andersen on this CD. If anyone finds a mistake in my translation, please make the necessary correction. Remember it is rarely possible to make a literal translation of the words to any poem or song, because if you do - the translated words will not rhyme, or may not even make sense in the new language, so one has to take a bit of liberty in making a translation. If you wish to find out more about the life of Lale Andersen, or her most famous song, I recommend you purchase the book Lili Marlene, by Leibovitz & Miller (sold at amazon & also by Edward R. Hamilton booksellers).

Vor der Kaserne,*********************In front of the barracks,
Vor dem großen Tor,******************In front of the main gate,
Stand eine Laterne,******************There stood a lamp post,
Und steht sie noch davor,************And if it stands there still,
So woll'n wir uns da wieder seh'n,*******Let us meet there again,
Bei der Laterne wollen wir steh'n,*******Under the lamp post we will stand
Wie einst, Lili Marleen.*****************Like before, Lili Marlene
Wie einst, Lili Marleen.*****************Like before, Lili Marlene

Unsere beiden Schatten,**************Both of our shadows,
Sah'n wie einer aus,*****************Looked like they were one,
Daß wir so lieb uns hatten,**********That we were so much in love,
Daß sah man gleich daraus.***********That all could see at a glance.
Und alle Leute soll'n es seh'n,**********And all will see it again,
Wenn wir bei der Laterne steh'n,*********When we stand beneath the lamp post,
Wie einst, Lili Marleen.*****************Like before, Lili Marlene.
Wie einst, Lili Marleen.*****************Like before, Lili Marlene.


Schon rief der Posten:*******************The sentry calls already:
Sie blasen Zapfenstreich,****************He sounds the bugle call,
Es kann drei Tage kosten!****************That can cost three days!
Kamerad, ich komm' ja gleich.************Comrade, I am coming now.
Da sagten wir Auf wiederseh'n.***********Then we said fairwell.
Wie gerne wollt' ich mit dir geh'n,******How I wanted to go with you instead,
Mit dir, Lili Marleen!*******************With you, Lili Marlene!
Mit dir, Lili Marleen!*******************With you, Lili Marlene!

Deine Schritte kennt sie,****************The lamp post knows your footsteps,
Deinen schönen Gang.*******************Your graceful stride.
Alle Abend brennt sie,*******************Every evening she burns,
Doch mich vergaß sie lang.***************Although she forgot me long ago.
Und sollte mir ein Leid gescheh'n,*******And should a mishap befall me,
Wer wird bei der Laterne steh'n,*********Who will stand beneath the lamp post,
Mit dir, Lili Marleen!*******************With you, Lili Marlene!
Mit dir, Lili Marleen!*******************With you, Lili Marlene!


Aus dem stillen Raume,***************From out of the silent spaces,
Aus der Erde Grund,******************From the depths of the Earth,
Hebt mich wie im Traume**************Lifts me as in a dream
Dein verliebter Mund.****************Your beloved lips.
Wenn sich die späten Nebel dreh'n,*******When the evening mists swirl,
Werd' ich bei der Laterne steh'n*********I will be standing by the lamp post,
Wie einst, Lili Marleen!*****************Like before, Lili Marleen!
Wie einst, Lili Marleen!*****************Like before, Lili Marleen!

I bought this album for the song Lili Marlene. I believe this one is the origanal 1939 recording of that song that was made famous during the North Africa campaign in World War 2. What I found out is that all the rest of the songs on the CD were also thoroughly enjoyable. Lale Andersen was obviously a talented performer. I loved the little expressive qualities that she adds to the songs. Every track on this CD really grew on me. The only problem is that I understand very little German.

The album reviews recommended her rendition of "Lillie Marlene" as the lead song: however, the song "Blaue Nacht am Hafen" is the gem stone in this collection, and made me glad I purchased it. I can live without the other songs.

Excellent CD of the favotite songs that many WWII veterans loved, and sung by Nazi-supported vocalist Lale Andersen. Her songs were was broadcast daily by the Nazi propoganda radio station. Especially pleasing to both Allied and German soldiers was the song "Lilli Marlene", that reminded them of their missed loved ones at home,and hope to return to their peaceful former lives after the war was concluded.
Lale Anderson was the replacement Nazi state-supported vocalist after the former famous German vocalist/actress Marlene Dietrich emigrated to the United States before the War, and became a U.S. citizen. Dietrich denounced the self-serving motives of the Nazi Party's evil destructive policies that concluded in the total demise of the proud German peoples loss of lives,homes, and destruction of many great Great historic German cities infastructure.