german civil war songs

[J.H.Berger]

Dear Comrades,
I am searching for authentic German civil war songs that were definetely sung.
I know of course, Morgenrot and Kriegslied der Division Blenker but there have to be more.
It would be intersting to put together a CD with these sonngs here in Germany. There are so many Irish songs on the market but I know of no German song CD.
Any songs with lyrics and notes I could get a hold of which are proven to be authentic would be most welcome.
"Auf fuer Lincoln und die Freiheit!"
Viele Gruesse
J.H.Berger
Hornist

[MarkTK36thIL]

Mark Jaeger had this to say concerning some German Wartime songs. I'm glad not everyone has to sing about their Celtic roots all the time.
http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/showthread.php?t=54
It's on Page 2 of the thread.
Best,
Mark

[Ringgold]

Hornist Berger,

I have come across the songs you've mentioned, with Morganrot being the most common of the two. THE most common leid I have found in letters of Germans and "Dutchmen" serving during the War of the Rebellion was "Der gute Kamerad." It is often referred to as "Ich hatt' einen Kameraden" , which is actually the first line of the song.

The lyrics, as found in my Westentaschen Volks=Liederbuch (circa 1853), are as follows:

Ich hatt' einen Kameraden,
Einen Bessern find'st du nit.
Die Trommel schlug zum Streite,
Er ging an meiner seite
:,: In gleichem Schritt und Tritt. : :

Eine Kugel kam geflogen,
Gilt's mir, oder gilt es dir?
Ihn hat sie weggerissen,
Er liegt mir vor den Füßen
:,: Als wär's ein Stück von mir.:,:

Will mir die Hand noch reichen,
Derweil ich eben lad'.
Kann dir die Hand nicht geben,
Bleib' du im ew'gen Leben
:,: Mein guter Kamerad.::

There is no music in the book to accompany the words, but you can find it on the Web easy enough. I have NO idea what the :: or :,: things mean, but included them in case they were important.

From what I have read, it appears that Morganrot was more common as a marching song, and Der gute Kamerad was one of those maudlin campfire songs that were so popular at the time.

My little German Vestpocket Folksongbook is full of great lyrics for songs that would do well for a Soldat in the Civil War, but I can't document any but the ones we've already mentioned.

Morganroth is listed under: Reitermorganlied
It also lists the original Kriegslied

A few other examples are:
Das rechte schwert
Matrosenlied
Wer ist frei
Die Pflicht
Scheidelied (den auswanderern nach Amerika)
Waffentanz
Bundeslied
Schlachtlied
Gebet vor der Schlacht
Heil Columbia
Heimweh
Bundeslied vor der Schlacht

There is also the usual proliferation of hunting and drinking songs. I guess they could be a start, but alas! there is no music to sing them to . . .

[MarkTK36thIL]

Two Germanish sounding songs that I overlooked are "Corporal Schnapps" and "We Fits mit der Sigel"-(I think that's the name). So if your German pronounciation isn't that far along yet, these will be easier to sing. Than some of the others. Best,
Mark

[Justin Runyon]

Cpl. Fritz and I goes to fight mit Siegel seem almost like slightly racist songs of the day. The german equivalent to Uncle Ned and Zip Coon. I think hes looking for what German immigrants were singing at the time. Both the songs you mentioned are great tunes, I just dont see anyone but Americans singing them.

As for his pronounciation, check his profile, I think hes got it down :)

[J.H.Berger]

Hornist Berger,

I have come across the songs you've mentioned, with Morganrot being the most common of the two. THE most common leid I have found in letters of Germans and "Dutchmen" serving during the War of the Rebellion was "Der gute Kamerad." It is often referred to as "Ich hatt' einen Kameraden" , which is actually the first line of the song.

The lyrics, as found in my Westentaschen Volks=Liederbuch (circa 1853), are as follows:

Ich hatt' einen Kameraden,
Einen Bessern find'st du nit.
Die Trommel schlug zum Streite,
Er ging an meiner seite
:,: In gleichem Schritt und Tritt. : :

Eine Kugel kam geflogen,
Gilt's mir, oder gilt es dir?
Ihn hat sie weggerissen,
Er liegt mir vor den Füßen
:,: Als wär's ein Stück von mir.:,:

Will mir die Hand noch reichen,
Derweil ich eben lad'.
Kann dir die Hand nicht geben,
Bleib' du im ew'gen Leben
:,: Mein guter Kamerad.::

There is no music in the book to accompany the words, but you can find it on the Web easy enough. I have NO idea what the :: or :,: things mean, but included them in case they were important.

From what I have read, it appears that Morganrot was more common as a marching song, and Der gute Kamerad was one of those maudlin campfire songs that were so popular at the time.

My little German Vestpocket Folksongbook is full of great lyrics for songs that would do well for a Soldat in the Civil War, but I can't document any but the ones we've already mentioned.

Morganroth is listed under: Reitermorganlied
It also lists the original Kriegslied

A few other examples are:
Das rechte schwert
Matrosenlied
Wer ist frei
Die Pflicht
Scheidelied (den auswanderern nach Amerika)
Waffentanz
Bundeslied
Schlachtlied
Gebet vor der Schlacht
Heil Columbia
Heimweh
Bundeslied vor der Schlacht

There is also the usual proliferation of hunting and drinking songs. I guess they could be a start, but alas! there is no music to sing them to . . .


Thank you Mark!
So you have definetely evidence for "Der gute Kamerad"?
Actually it was first sung in the "Befreiungskriege" the Napoleconic Wars as far as I know.
The :: :: means repeat the verse. The song is well known to me. (doesn't fit here but some of ther survivors of the Bismarck had sung it when they gave the bodys of their fallen caomrades to the sea on Bord of Exeter? which was heartbreaking not only to their own comrades but to the british tars as well)
We have sung it in Gettysburg in '98 when we had joined the 96th Pa with 25 Germans!
Can you send me the lyrics of the other listed songs???
Regards
J.H.Berger
Hornist

[J.H.Berger]

Cpl. Fritz and I goes to fight mit Siegel seem almost like slightly racist songs of the day. The german equivalent to Uncle Ned and Zip Coon. I think hes looking for what German immigrants were singing at the time. Both the songs you mentioned are great tunes, I just dont see anyone but Americans singing them.

As for his pronounciation, check his profile, I think hes got it down :)


Thank you Justin!!
I can only agree.
thank you comrades.
Regards
J.H.Berger
Hornist

[J.H.Berger]

[QUOTE=Ringgold]Hornist Berger,



The lyrics, as found in my Westentaschen Volks=Liederbuch (circa 1853), are as follows:


Where was this Liederbuch published?
Jan H. Berger
Hornist

[markj]

Liebe Jan-Henrik,

By the way, I forgot to tell you that I own an original soldier's hymnal published by the American Tract Society of New York. The hymns were originally published in English but then translated into German for the benefit of "Dutch" troops. This particular work was initially published in 1861 and undoubtedly reprinted throughout the war although it seems to be pretty rare to my knowledge. I've only seen one or two other copies of this publication offered for sale on eBay over the past several years.

Bis spaeter,

Mark Jaeger

[J.H.Berger]

Hey Mark,
can you make me a copy of it?
The thought of trying to put together a CD with us singing the songs is rotating in my head. It would be nice for you pards as well.
I will try to record the prussian infantry bugle signals with me saying the german commands.
This would be a great enrichment for the hobby i think.
Vielen Dank Freunde, ich hoffe ich sehe euch mal in naher Zukunft!
Gruesse aus Deutschland
Jan H. Berger
Hornist

[Ringgold]

Thank you Mark!
So you have definetely evidence for "Der gute Kamerad"? . . .
We have sung it in Gettysburg in '98 when we had joined the 96th Pa with 25 Germans!
Can you send me the lyrics of the other listed songs???
Regards
J.H.Berger
Hornist


Hornist Berger,

I have one outstanding mention of Der gute Kamerad, but I need to set it up a bit. First I need to introduce the singers with this quotation from "Durell's Battery in the Civil War": [This occurred during the evening of November 14th of 1861] "The wagons carrying the camp equipage came up promptly, so that the tents were soon pitched and shelter obtained for the men, but there was no wood at hand for fires with which to boil the coffee. A battery of Germans from New York, beside whose camp the Ringgolds had pitched their tents, kindly made and brought over to the newcomers several kettles of this important beverage. It was served to the company, but it proved to possess such a villainously saline taste that no one could drink it. The Germans were very much mortified when they discovered that they had used salt with which to sweeten the coffee, and immediately proceeded to make a fresh supply, which was soon brought over and sereved with profuse apologies for the mistake. Thus was the bond of comradeship between the New York Germans and the Pennsylvania 'Dutch' formed and sealed at once."

Now that we know something about the Germans next door, here is an excerpt from a letter written from Camp Duncan, November 18th, 1861 by Quartermaster Sergeant Azariah Ratz of Durell’s Battery, P.V.: “. . . The morning work was slow to start to-day. This no doubt a result of many of the boys having spent too late in the camp of the New York battery near to us yesterday. We heard them most of the night singing until retreat and many still vocalizing as they walked their way back to our camp. It was good to hear the music yet. Captain Durell was with us [he and Orderly Sergeant W.P. Andrews] and joined their singing I had a comrade that made all in camp a bit sad. The Captain has a good voice as you are all aware back to home…”

The letter is not in my possession, unfortunately. All I have is a copy of the translation done by the person who sent it too me. Luckily she was a fellow “Dutch” here in Penna., so she understood the strange wordage. My many attempts to secure a copy of the original in the original German have proved futile. Sadly, she passed from this existence about 10 years ago and her heirs seemed to have spread her life’s keepings to the four corners of chaos. As is usually the case with documents written in German, they are undoubtedly languishing in a box of related items that is labeled as “junk” because the owner is too ignorant to have them translated. :baring_te

So! You were with the 96th P.V.I. for the 135th Gettysburg event! I was commanding the artillery section directly behind you lads. If you recall, there was much handshaking and smiling faces between the Dutchmen in the infantry and the artillery right before the great charge on the last day. You see, many of my boys as well as myself had all served in the ranks of the 96th early in our experience. Do you still have your cockade? :wink_smil

[Ringgold]

Where was this Liederbuch published?
Jan H. Berger
Hornist


Philadelphia:
Verlag von Schaefer & Koradi

The publication date is not given. The "circa 1853" is a best guess made by taking the opinions of 4 different antique book dealers in Philadelphia and averaging them. All but 1 of them were positive that it is pre-Civil War vintage.

It is most decidedly a vest-pocket book, as it measures only slightly less than 1 1/4" X 2 1/2" X 3 3/4" in size. It is in a rather fragile state, so scanning or photocopying may bit a bit too dangerous. I would be happy to transcribe the lyrics for you. I will try to make digital pictures of the pages and see if that is a viable alternative. If not, my digits will get a thorough workout! It's roughly 260 pages in length, but the type is rather small. (Übrigens, können Sie "alten Deutschen schrift" lesen?)

The book was once owned by a gentleman by the name of Charles H. Gerhart, who penciled his name onto two of the last pages at some point. It looks like a young man practicing his signature, as the two entries vary slightly and are very flamboyant. It came into my possession through the wishes of one of my Gehman relatives, and who knows where THEY got it.

Bis später,
mach's gut, mein Kamerad!

[markj]

This tune is rather obscure but maybe someone will be able to identify it:

[On September 27th, 1862, while marching to ‎the ‎fortifications on ‎the south side of ‎Covington, KY]‎ This was our first march of any distance, and the boys were pretty ‎well done up with when we stopped. We had reason, however, to ‎thank some of the members of Co. F for starting up a German song ‎just at a time when the spirits of the boys were very low, which ‎seemed to act like a charm and put new life into all who heard. I ‎wish I could have understood the song; the chorus sounded to me ‎something like the following, and I had a faint idea of what was ‎meant by the words:‎
‎ Und de bix a mis a knolla,‎
‎ Und de rebels mis a folla,‎
‎ In de’ Sout, in de Sout, in de Sout. (p. 16)‎

SOURCE: Camps and Campaigns of the 107th Regiment [“5th German”] Ohio Volunteer Infantry, From August, ‎‎1862 to July, 1865, Jacob Smith, Company D, 107th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, (reprint of c.1910 edition, ‎Navarre, OH: Indian River Graphics, 2000. ISBN: 0-9704760-0-0. Based on a wartime diary (extensively ‎rewritten several years afterward)‎

Regards,

Mark Jaeger

[Ringgold]

‎ Und de bix a mis a knolla,‎
‎ Und de rebels mis a folla,‎
‎ In de’ Sout, in de Sout, in de Sout. (p. 16)‎




Perhaps:

Und ein Bißchen knallen,
und die Rebels missfallen,
Im die Süd! Im die Süd! Im die Süd!

Very roughly:

And a few little [musket] cracks,
and the Rebels are displeased,
In the South! In the South! In the South!


The first line's a bit sketchy, but the only other thing I could think of would mean "and a mouthfull of root". :embaresse

Was Denk'st, alle?

[Curt-Heinrich Schmidt]

Hallo Kameraden!

"Ich hatt' keine Kameraden..." ;-)

Oh no, I have a funeral dirge playing over and over again in my head.
I am going to sit out a spell, and let it pass.

Curt-Heinrich Schmidt
Immer Nicht Singen Mess

[markj]

Perhaps:

Und ein Bißchen knallen,
und die Rebels missfallen,
Im die Süd! Im die Süd! Im die Süd!

Very roughly:

And a few little [musket] cracks,
and the Rebels are displeased,
In the South! In the South! In the South!


The first line's a bit sketchy, but the only other thing I could think of would mean "and a mouthfull of root". :embaresse

Was Denk'st, alle?

Your translation seems pretty reasonable to me given that the author was not a native German speaker, was presumably spelling it "phonetically," and was writing about the event nearly 50 years after the fact!

I would suspect the tune to the song, as frequently happened, was borrowed from another ditty.

Regards,

Mark

[Ringgold]

Heil Columbia, glücklich Land!
Heil Euch Helden, Gott verwandt,
Die Ihr für Freiheit treu gekämpft,
Und als verbrauset der Sturm des Krieges,
Im Frieden Euch erfreuet des Sieges.
Es sie die Unabhängigkeit
Unser Stolz zu jeder Zeit.
Und für's Kleinod, voll von Dank,
Schall' zum Himmel Hochgesang!

Fest und einig laßt uns steh'n,
Wo der Freiheit Banner wehn [wehen = waves]
Wie Gebrüder ; Fried und Heil
Ist und bleibt dann unser Theil.
Steht edle Patrioten auf,
Beginnet nochmals Euren Lauf!
Laßt keinen Freund mit Frevler Hand
Ins Heil’ge bringen, wo das Gut,
Mit Müh’n und Blut erworben ruhe.

Wer begen da gerecht und schlicht
Wir Frieden beut’n die Zuversicht
Daß Recht und Wahrheit werd besteh’n
Der Knechtschaft Plän’ in Nichts vergehen.
Fest und einig laßt uns steh’n, u. s. w.
Es kling’ mit jubelton
Der Name Washington
Von Ruhm getragen durch die Welt!
Kein Land sei, dem die Freiheit hold,
Das ihm nicht Preis und Achtung zollt!

Er hat durch Klugheit und durch Kraft,
Uns den Triumph im Krieg verschafft;
Er leitet mit demselben Sinn
Im Frieden uns zum Glücke hin.
Fest und einig laßt uns steh’n, u. s. w.
Schaut aus das Haupt, das jetzt gebeut
Und durch sien Walten Segen streut!
Er steht, ein Fels im wilden Meer ;
Ja stark durch Tugend, treu und fest
Auf Gott und Euch er sich verläßt.

Wenn alle Hoffnung fast entwich:
Der Stern Columbia’s erblich;
Beharrt sein Geist bei einem Ziel,
Daß Freiheit oder Tod uns fiel.
Fest und Einig laßt uns steh’n. u. s. w.

[weed]

Gutten Tag:

My great grandfather on my mothers side (cpl. Arnold Rader) was in the 46th Illinois, which was a TOTAL German regiment from Freeport, IL. He came to America in 1854 from Prussia. I have all his Civil War papers/writings and will go thru them as I know he mentions songs. My mother then taught German for 40 years at the high school level before her death in 1986. She had a ot of German LP's which I now have in my possession. I will get them out also, to see what songs are on them.

I also have a geat greatuncle with the same name as I have: ( John Wedeward) He came to America from Prussia in 1856. Even thu he lived in the Milwaukee area of Wisconsin (Ozaukee County, which is all German) for some reason he traveled to Chicago to join the German 42nd Illinois. I also have all his wrtings. I know he talks about camp life , etc in his letters. I will dig them out.

Hopefully I can get some first hand accounts from my own relatives.

My great greatgrandfather on my father's side came to America (Wisconsin) in 1868 and missed our Civil War.

Auf Wiedershen,

John Wedeward
33rd Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry

[MoFed]

Try www.gtg1848.de/sngbk.htm

Charles D. Hoskins

[weed]

These are excellent German Civil War songs. After I get done with the run of sack coats I am making, I will translate the ones that have not been done, from German into English.

I would even make a recording, but I do not sing very well (except drunk)

John M. Wedeward
33d Wisconsin
Camp Randall Quartermaster

Infact, as I am thinking of it, I will get ahold of one of my cousins in Germany and have him translate and sing these songs for me.

(I wasn't right in the head anyway)

[J.H.Berger]

Answer to Mark Pflum again:


Yes, I do still have my cockade!!!! Unfortunately the German part of the 96th has desintegrated. Too many men from other periods ;-(((((((
Then you will still recall us singing "Kriegslied der Division Blenker" just before the great charge! That was the greatest highlight in my reenactment history, wow, there is still a shiver down my spine. I still remember Rick Guth telling my pard Holger after the song "Henrik is in his Glory".....
Funny story with the coffee and salt;-)
It is still fascinating that there are still so many of the old letters around in the US.
I am still translating some letters from Ken Knopps great grandfather from 1906. A real challenge.
Viele Gruesse
Jan H. Berger
Hornist

[J.H.Berger]

[QUOTE=Ringgold]Philadelphia:
Verlag von Schaefer & Koradi

(Übrigens, können Sie "alten Deutschen schrift" lesen?)

Printed script: YES
handwritten: unfortunately not but I stll have relatives who can so that wouldn't be a problem
Jan H.Berger
Hornist

[J.H.Berger]

Perhaps:

Und ein Bißchen knallen,
und die Rebels missfallen,
Im die Süd! Im die Süd! Im die Süd!

Very roughly:

And a few little [musket] cracks,
and the Rebels are displeased,
In the South! In the South! In the South!



Was Denk'st, alle?

Well, could be....
Jan H. Berger
Hornist

[J.H.Berger]

Super Mark!
I will print it and add it to the potnetial songs. I hope we will manage the CD thing ;-))
Jan H. Berger
Hornist

[J.H.Berger]

Gutten Tag:

My great grandfather on my mothers side (cpl. Arnold Rader) was in the 46th Illinois, which was a TOTAL German regiment from Freeport, IL. He came to America in 1854 from Prussia. I have all his Civil War papers/writings and will go thru them as I know he mentions songs. My mother then taught German for 40 years at the high school level before her death in 1986. She had a ot of German LP's which I now have in my possession. I will get them out also, to see what songs are on them.

I also have a geat greatuncle with the same name as I have: ( John Wedeward) He came to America from Prussia in 1856. Even thu he lived in the Milwaukee area of Wisconsin (Ozaukee County, which is all German) for some reason he traveled to Chicago to join the German 42nd Illinois. I also have all his wrtings. I know he talks about camp life , etc in his letters. I will dig them out.

Hopefully I can get some first hand accounts from my own relatives.

My great greatgrandfather on my father's side came to America (Wisconsin) in 1868 and missed our Civil War.

Auf Wiedershen,

John Wedeward
33rd Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry

Hallo John, do you know from where in Prussia your ancestors came from? Would be great if you could help me with first person accounts!
Gruesse
Jan H. Berger
Hornist

[weed]

On my mother's side, "Arnold Rader" (my great greatgrandfather) - who incidently spent some time in the Prussian Infantry as he brought to America (which my mother left to me), 2 ORIGINAL Prussian Regimental Stiens) - came from Montigie) which was in the Rhenish Prov. (Western Germany) and on my father's side my great greatuncle "John Wedeward" and my great greatgrandfather "August Wedeward" came from the near the Stettin area (Pomerian Prov) - Eastern Germany. Most of my relatives live in Berlin now, but the cousin I talk most, Daniel Wedeward lives in Lepzig, Germany.

I will dig thru all their letters and papers and relatate what their feelings on the war were.

John Wedeward
33d Wisconsin

[MBBursig]

Fellow Dutchman,
I would just like to say that I am very pleased to see fellow reenactors discussing German-istic related actions in the Civil War. Gut Heil! I actually have been researching for some German songs for a time (and was actually thinking of doing a CD as well). I have come up with some of the very same songs have all come up. "Morgenrot" etc.
Just as previosly stated be weary of certain songs written in English about the Germans, as there was a very prevelent "anti-teutonish" feeling about America in the 19th century.
Just a little historical note: Supposively, the 52nd New York sabg "Dixe" as it marched into Virginia early in the war. The Germans probably liked singing some of the popular English songs as well.
I hope there are more songs you come across, god speed and thanks for the posts it's helpful. I'll have to pass the info to my German boys.

"Bahn Frei Gut Heil"
Matthew Bernhardt Bursig
52nd New York Regt. "German Rangers" "Sigel's Rifles"
Honorary Descendent 20th New York Regt. "The United Turner Rifles"

[J.H.Berger]

On my mother's side, "Arnold Rader" (my great greatgrandfather) - who incidently spent some time in the Prussian Infantry as he brought to America (which my mother left to me), 2 ORIGINAL Prussian Regimental Stiens) - came from Montigie) which was in the Rhenish Prov. (Western Germany) and on my father's side my great greatuncle "John Wedeward" and my great greatgrandfather "August Wedeward" came from the near the Stettin area (Pomerian Prov) - Eastern Germany. Most of my relatives live in Berlin now, but the cousin I talk most, Daniel Wedeward lives in Lepzig, Germany.

I will dig thru all their letters and papers and relatate what their feelings on the war were.

John Wedeward
33d Wisconsin

Great!
I am from the northern part of Westfalen western Germany.
Viele Gruesse
Jan H. Berger
Hornsit

[J.H.Berger]

Fellow Dutchman,
I would just like to say that I am very pleased to see fellow reenactors discussing German-istic related actions in the Civil War. Gut Heil! I actually have been researching for some German songs for a time (and was actually thinking of doing a CD as well). I have come up with some of the very same songs have all come up. "Morgenrot" etc.
Just as previosly stated be weary of certain songs written in English about the Germans, as there was a very prevelent "anti-teutonish" feeling about America in the 19th century.
Just a little historical note: Supposively, the 52nd New York sabg "Dixe" as it marched into Virginia early in the war. The Germans probably liked singing some of the popular English songs as well.
I hope there are more songs you come across, god speed and thanks for the posts it's helpful. I'll have to pass the info to my German boys.

"Bahn Frei Gut Heil"
Matthew Bernhardt Bursig
52nd New York Regt. "German Rangers" "Sigel's Rifles"
Honorary Descendent 20th New York Regt. "The United Turner Rifles"

I hope we will manage the CD thing!!!!!
I will keep you posted if so!
Regards
Jan Henrik Berger
Hornist

[fidlr1]

I hope we will manage the CD thing!!!!!
I will keep you posted if so!
Regards
Jan Henrik Berger
Hornist

The CD sounds like a great idea-having German roots myself, I should dig into this material a bit. I feel sometimes that the "Irish pub songs" are as they say "way overrepresented in the hobby".

[MBBursig]

Soldaten,
A little one of those English songs written about the Germans,this one gives some praise though. Blenker, Sigel, Weber...to the melody of the "New York Volunteer":

Our German volunteers. Air: New-York volunteer. H. De Marsan, Publisher, 54 Chatham Street, N. Y. [n. d.]
IMPRINT
New York, New York: H. De Marsan
RELATED NAME(S)
Publisher: H. De Marsan
SHELF LOCATION
American Songs and Ballads, Series 3, Volume 3
LYRICS
OUR GERMAN
VOLUNTEERS.

Air: New-York Volunteer.

There is a General in the West whose deeds have come to fame,
He is a gallant soldier, and in movements he is game;
Then let us raise our voices high and give three hearty cheers
For Siegel, hero of the West, and his German volunteers:
For Siegel, hero of the West, and his German volunteers.

Now at the battle of Bull-Run, we fought well, every one can say,
But panic struck our army, and we had to move away,
And, in that great confusion, of our rear we had great fears,
But it was protected by Blenker and his German volunteers:
But it was protected by Blenker and his German volunteers.

Now there's the gallant Fifth Regiment who before their duty done,
They have again offered their services to go to Washington:
And were it not for Patterson who did Scott's plan betray,
They would join McDowell, at Bull-Run, and took an active part, that day:
They would join Mc Dowell, at Bull-Run, and took an active part, that day.

Then there's the gallant Max Weber who took an active part,
When our ships of war bombarded Forts Hatteras and Clark,
And should the South make an attack, while he and his men are there,
They'll get a mighty good whipping of which they are not aware,
They'll get a mighty good whipping of which they are not aware,

Now, as I close my little song, I'll say a word or two:
Should you be called upon to fight, stand by your colors true;
Then raise your voices with one accord and give three hearty cheers
For Mc Clellan, Scott, and Siegel, and their Union Volunteers!
For Mc Clellan, Scott, and Siegel, and their Union Volunteers!

H. DE MARSAN, Publisher,
54 Chatham Street, New-York.

COLLECTION
American Songs and Ballads
REPOSITORY
Rare Book and Special Collections Division, Library of Congress
DIGITAL ID
sb30389b

A Nice little Ditty.

"Bahn Frei Gut Heil!"
Matthew Bernhardt Bursig
52nd New York Regt.

[Ringgold]

Kriegslied

Die Fahnen wehen, frisch auf zur Schlacht;
Schlagt muthig drein!
Es klingt Musik, die uns fröhlich macht,
In’s Herz hinein ;
Die Pfiefen und Trommeln mit füßem Klang
Das Feld entlang.
In die Schlacht, die Schlacht hinaus!

Wer möchte blieben, wann’s lustig geht,
Im stillen Haus?
Wohlen! Wenn Jugend in Blüthe steht,
Hinaus, hinaus!
Wo frisch und munter das Leben rollt!
Wer das gewollt :
In die Schlacht, in die Schlacht hinaus!

O Wehrmannsleben, o köstlich Gut!
Und ward’s bescheert :
Der Mann ist selig, der trägt den Muth
Blank, wie sein Schwert.
Wer tapfer im fröhlichen Streite fiel,
Im Heldenspeil;
Schläft im Arme der grünen Erd’

Ihm klingt Musik, die er leben mag,
Mit Klang darein :
Nicht schöner klingt am Todes-Tag
In’s Grab hinein!
O seliger Tod, o du Wehrmannstod!
Noch bin ich roth!
In die Schlacht, in die Schlacht hinein!


MAN! It is tough reading this stuff in the book! Apparently Herren Schaefer und Koradi had a press that needed a little loving, many of the special charachters seem to print terribly. Why couldn't it have been simple letters like "o" or "w"! unglaublich . . . :sarcastic

[J.H.Berger]

Kriegslied

Die Fahnen wehen, frisch auf zur Schlacht;
Schlagt muthig drein!
Es klingt Musik, die uns fröhlich macht,
In’s Herz hinein ;
Die Pfeifen und Trommeln mit süßem Klang
Das Feld entlang.
In die Schlacht, die Schlacht hinaus!

Wer möchte bleiben, wann’s lustig geht,
Im stillen Haus?
Wohlen! Wenn Jugend in Blüthe steht,
Hinaus, hinaus!
Wo frisch und munter das Leben rollt!
Wer das gewollt :
In die Schlacht, in die Schlacht hinaus!

O Wehrmannsleben, o köstlich Gut!
Und ward’s bescheert :
Der Mann ist selig, der trägt den Muth
Blank, wie sein Schwert.
Wer tapfer im fröhlichen Streite fiel,
Im Heldenspiel;
Schläft im Arme der grünen Erd’

Ihm klingt Musik, die er leben mag,
Mit Klang darein :
Nicht schöner klingt am Todes-Tag
In’s Grab hinein!
O seliger Tod, o du Wehrmannstod!
Noch bin ich roth!
In die Schlacht, in die Schlacht hinein!


MAN! It is tough reading this stuff in the book! Apparently Herren Schaefer und Koradi had a press that needed a little loving, many of the special charachters seem to print terribly. Why couldn't it have been simple letters like "o" or "w"! unglaublich . . . :sarcastic

Great!!!
I have corrected some letters ;) I don't know if they had really printed "Pfiefen" or "Heldenspeil" which could be because of prose ;) but the other way around would be correct. It is mit "süßem Klang" not "füßem" :)
I know , old German script. I have read the reprint of the German translation of Grants memoirs from 1886!! Afterwards you can read old German script!!
Thank you very much Mark! I have to search for the tunes now!
Viele Grüsse
Jan H. Berger
Hornist

[weed]

post: The CD sounds like a great idea-having German roots myself, I should dig into this material a bit. I feel sometimes that the "Irish pub songs" are as they say "way overrepresented in the hobby".
__________________Paul Herling
SGLHA


I also agree that there should be more Germanic flavor to the hobby. The CD sounds like a great thing!! Iwould LOVE to have all the guys with German roots get together at an event and just talk about their "fatherland"

ps, I love my great grandfather cpl Arnold Rader, 46th Ill., as he ran a saloon for 30 years after the war. A TRUE German!!!!

John M. Wedeward
33d Wisconsin Vol. Infantry
www.inxpress.net/jwedeward

[hiplainsyank]

This discussion reminded me that I have a German Reformed Church hymnal ("Eine Gammlung Evangelisher Lieder, zum Begrauch der Hochdeutsch Reformirten Kirche, in den Der. Staaten von Nord Amerika"), published in Chambersburg, PA by M. Reiffer und Co. in 1857. If I've got my church history right, I believe it isn't Lutheran but German Reformed, which is still in existence.

Anyways, someone mentioned (and I have read before) that "Old Hundredth" or the Doxology, was popular during the Civil War. In the back of this hymnal there are 10 doxologies, of which only three are to Long Meter (For those unfamiliar with older/mainline church music, the meter is the number of syllables in a line.) Long Meter (designated "L.M.") is the same meter as Old Hundredth, and very possibly would have been sung to that popular tune. Here are the three that can be sung to Old Hundredth (I hope I got this transliteration correct):

Preis, Lob und Ruhm fen Gott Gebracht,
Der Ulles, Ulles weht gemacht, (is "Ulles" a word? Or is it "Alles")
Ihn preise was durch Jesum Christ
Im Himmel und auf Erden ist.

Nun lobt den herren allzugleich
Vuf Erden und im Himmelreich;
Es lobe Gott mit frohem Ton, (? first letter)
Was Udem (? first letter) hat im hochsten Thron.

Hoch heilige Dreieinigkeit (k?)
Dir fen hienieden in der Zeit, (z?)
Noch herrlicher in Ewigkeit
Unbetung, Dank und preis geweiht.

I sung a little German in college, and come across an occaisional German word in my reading (theological), so I know an occasional word, but does anyone know enough German to translate these?

In any case, if you want to sing a German doxology some night before lights out, here you go.

Joanna Norris Grimshaw

[Ringgold]

Mein Pfeifchen.

Wenn mein Pfeifchen dampft und glüht,
Und der Rauch von Blättern
Sanft mir um die Nase zieht,
O dann tausch’ ich nicht mit Göttern.
Schwindet dann der Rauch im Wind,
Fang’ ich an zu lachen,
Denke : so vergänglich sind
Alle, alle andre Sachen

Edles Kraut, du stäkest mich,
Giebst mir Kraft zum Leben ;
Könnt’ ich, edler Tabak, dich
Nach : ,: Verdienst : ,: erhaben!
Schenk’, o Himmel, Diesem Kraut
Sonnenschein und Regen.

Du trittst in der Einsamkeit
An des Freundes Stelle ;
Fehlt es mir an Zeitvertreib,
Nehm’ ich mir das Pfiechen schnelle.
Fühl’ ich dann die heiße Kraft
Lief in meiner Seele,
O dann macht der Gerstensaft
: ,: Süßer : ,: meine Kehle.

Knasterpfeifchen können zwar
Nur die Reichen schmauchen ;
Sollt’ ich darum ganz und gar
: ,: Keinen : ,: Tabak rauchen?
Ei, ihr Herrn, das Wäre fein!
Nein, ich bin gescheiter ;
Lasse Knaster sein
Und verknall’ A B und Retter

Wenn mein Mädchen spröde thut,
Hab’ ich nichts dawider,
Nehme meinen Stock und Hut,
Geb’ zu euch, ihr [lieben] Brüder.
Krieg’ ich dann den Magenkrampf
An dem leeren Beutel,
Denk’ ich, Pfeifchen, bei dem Dampf :
Es ist : ,: Alles : ,: eitel!

Yes, it actually says andre, not andere. Also, they use "th" rather than the modern simple "t", such as in Morganroth / Morganrot or tut /thut.

If I understand this as well as I think I do, why does it appear that the writer lost his mind in the last two stanzas? Maybe he "raucht mehr als Tabak in seinem pfeife" :embaresse

[Ringgold]

Viele danken, Herr Berger. Your corrections are correct.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with Old German Text, here is a sample of what I'm dealing with :

in the original size- http://ringgold_redleg.home.mindspring.com/Actual Size.jpg

And now blown-up so you can actually read it- http://ringgold_redleg.home.mindspring.com/Mein Pfeifchen.jpg

For those of you who have never had the pleasure of transcribing this beautiful print, you're lucky.

Joanna, if you look in the first stanza, you will see the similarities between the U in the second line's "Und" and the last line's A in Alle. Also the use of an "f" looking character (who's true name escapes me at present) for the soft "s". I think if you take this new info and retry your lyrics, it should make more sense.

[J.H.Berger]

post: The CD sounds like a great idea-having German roots myself, I should dig into this material a bit. I feel sometimes that the "Irish pub songs" are as they say "way overrepresented in the hobby".
__________________Paul Herling
SGLHA


I also agree that there should be more Germanic flavor to the hobby. The CD sounds like a great thing!! Iwould LOVE to have all the guys with German roots get together at an event and just talk about their "fatherland"

ps, I love my great grandfather cpl Arnold Rader, 46th Ill., as he ran a saloon for 30 years after the war. A TRUE German!!!!

John M. Wedeward
33d Wisconsin Vol. Infantry
www.inxpress.net/jwedeward


Oh ja!! Eine Kneipe mit deutscher Gemütlichkeit;-))))))
John I will try to manage the Cd project. I may have some connections here in Germany. If it works you will hear from us!
Regards
Jan H. Berger
Hornist

[J.H.Berger]

This discussion reminded me that I have a German Reformed Church hymnal ("Eine Gammlung Evangelisher Lieder, zum Begrauch der Hochdeutsch Reformirten Kirche, in den Der. Staaten von Nord Amerika"), published in Chambersburg, PA by M. Reiffer und Co. in 1857. If I've got my church history right, I believe it isn't Lutheran but German Reformed, which is still in existence.

Anyways, someone mentioned (and I have read before) that "Old Hundredth" or the Doxology, was popular during the Civil War. In the back of this hymnal there are 10 doxologies, of which only three are to Long Meter (For those unfamiliar with older/mainline church music, the meter is the number of syllables in a line.) Long Meter (designated "L.M.") is the same meter as Old Hundredth, and very possibly would have been sung to that popular tune. Here are the three that can be sung to Old Hundredth (I hope I got this transliteration correct):

Preis, Lob und Ruhm fen (von?) Gott Gebracht,
Der (A)lle, (A)lle Welt? gemacht, (is "Ulles" a word? Or is it "Alles")
Ihn preise was durch Jesum Christ
Im Himmel und auf Erden ist.

Nun lobt den herren allzugleich
(A)uf Erden und im Himmelreich;
Es lobe Gott mit frohem Ton, (? first letter)
Was (O)dem (? first letter) hat im h(ö)chsten Thron.

Hoch heilige Dreieinigkeit (k?)
Dir fen (von)? hienieden? in der Zeit, (z?)
Noch herrlicher in Ewigkeit
(A)nbetung, Dank und preis geweiht.

I sung a little German in college, and come across an occaisional German word in my reading (theological), so I know an occasional word, but does anyone know enough German to translate these?

In any case, if you want to sing a German doxology some night before lights out, here you go.

Joanna Norris Grimshaw

Hi Joanna,
I have coreccted it as far as I believe is correct. Odem means breath. A very old word used in lyics. Unfortunately i don't have the time to translate it now but it is a song of praisal for God and Jesus.
Regards
J.H. Berger
Hornist

[J.H.Berger]

Viele danken, Herr Berger. Your corrections are correct.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with Old German Text, here is a sample of what I'm dealing with :

in the original size- http://ringgold_redleg.home.mindspring.com/Actual Size.jpg

And now blown-up so you can actually read it- http://ringgold_redleg.home.mindspring.com/Mein Pfeifchen.jpg

For those of you who have never had the pleasure of transcribing this beautiful print, you're lucky.

Joanna, if you look in the first stanza, you will see the similarities between the U in the second line's "Und" and the last line's A in Alle. Also the use of an "f" looking character (who's true name escapes me at present) for the soft "s". I think if you take this new info and retry your lyrics, it should make more sense.



:) :) :) :) :) :) :)
Yes you are right. Nice song! Are there and dates attached to the songs in your Liederbuch Mark?
Regards
Jan H. Berger
Hornist

[Ringgold]

"Are there and dates attached to the songs in your Liederbuch Mark?
Regards
Jan H. Berger"

Regrettably, no. And, as I stated before, there is not even a definative publication date. sigh. Scheafer & Koradi were in business from the early 19th Century through the early 20th Century, so it may be impossible to ever date the book's publication date. :(

[Ringgold]

Schlachtgesang


Auf! Und laßt die Fahnen fliegen!
Schwerter, öffnet uns die Bahn!
Gott mit uns zu Kampf und Siegen!
Feinte, bebt, die Rächer nahn,
Die Rächer nahn!

Lief in Feindes Auge schauen,
Treu vereint in Sturmesnoth,
Heißt auf unsre Losung Bauen :
Lorbeer oder Heldentod,
Ja Heldentod!

Ha, wie schön die Donner tönen!
Blitze flammen durch den Dampf!
Sieg, du leuchtest deinen Söhnen!
Vorwärts, Brüder, in den Kampf!
Fort in den Kampf!

:baring_te

[Pvt Schnapps]

Oh ja!! Eine Kneipe mit deutscher Gemütlichkeit;-))))))
John I will try to manage the Cd project. I may have some connections here in Germany. If it works you will hear from us!
Regards
Jan H. Berger
Hornist

Jan, this is a great thread and you would be doing us all a fantastic service if the CD comes through. Let us know if there's anything we can do! One of the high points of my time in the hobby came at the Gettysburg living history last year, singing Morgenrot with you, Sebastien, and Klaus. I'm hoping to have Die Gedanken Sind Frei and the Burgerlied ready for the next McDowell!

Freiheit und Einheit!

[J.H.Berger]

Schlachtgesang


Auf! Und laßt die Fahnen fliegen!
Schwerter, öffnet uns die Bahn!
Gott mit uns zu Kampf und Siegen!
Fein/d/e, bebt, die Rächer nahn,
Die Rächer nahn!

/T/ief in Feindes Auge schauen,
Treu vereint in Sturmesnoth,
Heißt auf unsre Losung Bauen :
Lorbeer oder Heldentod,
Ja Heldentod!

Ha, wie schön die Donner tönen!
Blitze flammen durch den Dampf!
Sieg, du leuchtest deinen Söhnen!
Vorwärts, Brüder, in den Kampf!
Fort in den Kampf!

:baring_te
Hey Mark, thanks again. I have made two corrcetions if you don't mind;-)
Best
J.H.Berger
Hornist

[J.H.Berger]

Jan, this is a great thread and you would be doing us all a fantastic service if the CD comes through. Let us know if there's anything we can do! One of the high points of my time in the hobby came at the Gettysburg living history last year, singing Morgenrot with you, Sebastien, and Klaus. I'm hoping to have Die Gedanken Sind Frei and the Burgerlied ready for the next McDowell!

Freiheit und Einheit!


Hallo Michael,
nice to hear from you!
If we manage the CD thing you we be one of the first to know!!!
Although I fear I won't be able to come to McDowell because We have a baby now and I will stay at home and my wife doesn't have holidays in May I hopwe to join you someday in the near future.
What about Shiloh?
I will put together some lyrics to be bound in a little songbok which I will send to you if yopu like to. You only have to search for the tunes if you don't know it;-)
There is a CD available on www.amazon.de with songs from Hoffmann von Fallersleben. I thinkmit is called "Die Gedanken sind frei".
Search for it;-)
Regards
J.H.Berger
Hornist

[J.H.Berger]

Jan, this is a great thread and you would be doing us all a fantastic service if the CD comes through. Let us know if there's anything we can do! One of the high points of my time in the hobby came at the Gettysburg living history last year, singing Morgenrot with you, Sebastien, and Klaus. I'm hoping to have Die Gedanken Sind Frei and the Burgerlied ready for the next McDowell!

Freiheit und Einheit!


Hallo Michael,
nice to hear from you!
If we manage the CD thing you we be one of the first to know!!!
Although I fear I won't be able to come to McDowell because we have a baby now and I will stay at home and my wife doesn't have holidays in May I hope to join you someday in the near future.
What about Shiloh?
I will put together some lyrics to be bound in a little songbook which I will send to you if yopu like to. You only have to search for the tunes if you don't know it;-)
There is a CD available on www.amazon.de with songs from Hoffmann von Fallersleben. I think it is called "Die Gedanken sind frei".
Search for it;-)
Regards
J.H.Berger
Hornist

[Ringgold]

Hey Mark, thanks again. I have made two corrcetions if you don't mind;-)
Best
J.H.Berger
Hornist


I don't mind at all! :wink_smil I don't have a German spellcheck. Wait a minute! Yes I do! DU!! :nerd:

Here's an old favorite that I found in the pages of my Liederbuch. A few differences in the lyrics from what I'm familiar with, but at least I know the music to THIS one! I'm sure it would have been a favorite around the campfire.

Du, Du!

Du, du liegst mir im Herzen,
Du, du, Liegst mir in Sinn!
Du, du, machst mir viel Schmertzen,
Weißt nicht wie gut ich dir bin.
Ja, ja, weißt nicht wie gut ich dir bin.

So, so, wie ich dich liebe,
So, so, liebe auch mich.
Die, die, zärtlichsten Triebe,
Fühle ich ewig für dich. Ja :c


Doch, doch, darf ich dir trauen,
Dir, dir, mit leichtem Sinn,
Du, du, kannst auch mich bauen,
Weißt nicht wie gut ich dir bin. Ja :c


Und, und, wenn in der Ferne,
Mir, mir, dein Bild erscheint,
Dann, dann wünsch’ ich so gerne,
Dass uns die Liebe vereint. Ja :c


:beer_yum:

[Ringgold]

Soldatenlied

Burgen mit hohen Mauern und Zinnen
Mädchen mit stolzen höhnenden Sinnen
Möcht' ich gewinnen !
Kühn ist das Mühen, herrlich der Lohn,
Und die Trompeten lassen wir werden,
Wie zu der Freude, so zum Verderben.
Das ist ein Stürmen, das ist ein Leben !
Mädchen und Burgen müssen sich geben.
Kühn ist das Mühen, herrlich der Lohn !
Und die Soldaten ziehen davon.

Hmm . . . short, sweet, and to the point!

I especially enjoyed the "Tin Girls" and the "Girls and Castles must themselves give" parts.
:kiss: :tounge_sm

[J.H.Berger]

Nice songs Mark;-)
By the way have you been in Gettysburg last year on the 4th of July at the PA Monument and have you made some artillery presentations ther?
Regards
J.H.Berger
Hornist

[Ringgold]

Nice songs Mark;-)
By the way have you been in Gettysburg last year on the 4th of July at the PA Monument and have you made some artillery presentations ther?
Regards
J.H.Berger
Hornist

Jawohl! Der war ich. Ich war den extrem grossen Offizier, das über die Artillerie sprachen. Did I say that right? Mein Deutsch sprache ist ein wenig rostiges. :wink_smil About 100 years rusty!

Were you one of die Deutsche soldaten that stayed in the infantry camp? If so, which one were you?

Man! It's a SMALL world!

[MBBursig]

Gentlemen,
You all have been quite busy with these songs; much glory to you.
"Du, du liegst mir im Herzen" is a great old standby, I love the melody. It may bring a tear to your eye.
Two things:
Firstly,
I have found a March known as "General Sigel's Grand March" at http://mariah.stonemarche.org/livhis/gensigel.htm
though there is not much information on the site it is just a sound file.
Secondly,
What would be the accuracy in singing the current german national anthem? I believe the melody is from an Austrian Hymn? Though the lyrics have been rearranged/changed. I read somewhere once that there were other German National Anthems before the current one, what would be thier accuracy?

It seems the songs are shaping up quite nicely and I am truly excited about the CD idea. I would love to be involved in some way or another. My German Grandparents both have passed on within the last 4 years, and personally it would be a great tribute to them.

Gut Heil!,

[Curt-Heinrich Schmidt]

Hallo Kameraden!

Ah, the joys of Chancery Schrifft, Latin Schrifft, and Suetterlin! (aside from each individual's handwriting ability...)

I like to work on WWI German letters but the "Schrifft" is rough- as it looks to my eyes looks like nothing but sharp "m's," "n's," "v's," and "i's." ;-) :-)

Suetterlin was dropped by the Nazi's in 1941 for having a Jewish "connection" so it helps to have someone having been educated in German schools prior to 1941.

But as with any language, the more it is used, the easier it becomes to read any of the older "scripts."

Und auch etwas...

"What would be the accuracy in singing the current german national anthem?"

Prior to 1870/1871, what "Germany?" said Curt-Heinrich the Hessian, who'll be at the Bavarian Military Museum in Donauwoerth in three weeks. . ;-)

Curt-Heinrich Schmidt
Die Scharfschuetzener Messe

(Poor translation of "Ich hatt'...)

[J.H.Berger]

Jawohl! Der war ich. Ich war den extrem grossen Offizier, das über die Artillerie sprachen. Did I say that right? Mein Deutsch sprache ist ein wenig rostiges. :wink_smil About 100 years rusty!

Were you one of die Deutsche soldaten that stayed in the infantry camp? If so, which one were you?

Man! It's a SMALL world!

Mensch Mark, die Welt ist echt klein!
The very one who had a talk with you in your camp!!! You know I had asked you about the horse equipment etc. Eyeglasses, goatee, mustache!
I thought so;-) The picture was familiar!
I hope to meet you again somewhere there!
Jan H. Berger
Hornist

[MBBursig]

"What would be the accuracy in singing the current german national anthem?"

"What Germany"

Good point Herr Schmidt! My Otto Von Bismark Unification thoughts must have escaped me this morning when I wrote the post. I guess what I really wanted to ask then was how known the Haydn melody (which is today's German anthem melody), would have been at the time of our Civil War and the 1848 Revolution. Also the two other songs I found and that were considered early "German National Anthems" (which I suppose means Prussia) were
"Was ist des Deutschen Vaterland" ("What is the German's fatherland?"composed 1825), and "Die Wacht am Rhein" ("The Watch on the Rhine" composed 1854). How known or popular would those songs or melodies had been?

Herr Schmidt, you are a Hessian? My family hails from the city of Kassel (Cassel) and the town of Kirchberg (a very small farming town). Nice to meet a fellow Hessian!

Gut Heil!,

[J.H.Berger]

Hallo Kameraden!

Ah, the joys of Chancery Schrifft, Latin Schrifft, and Suetterlin! (aside from each individual's handwriting ability...)

I like to work on WWI German letters but the "Schrifft" is rough- as it looks to my eyes looks like nothing but sharp "m's," "n's," "v's," and "i's." ;-) :-)

Suetterlin was dropped by the Nazi's in 1941 for having a Jewish "connection" so it helps to have someone having been educated in German schools prior to 1941.

But as with any language, the more it is used, the easier it becomes to read any of the older "scripts."

Und auch etwas...

"What would be the accuracy in singing the current german national anthem?"

Prior to 1870/1871, what "Germany?" said Curt-Heinrich the Hessian, who'll be at the Bavarian Military Museum in Donauwoerth in three weeks. . ;-)

Curt-Heinrich Schmidt
Die Scharfschuetzener Messe

(Poor translation of "Ich hatt'...)

Hey Curt, when you are in Germany give me a call! 05451 74205! Berger or Felsmann.
You are right. There was NO genaeral German anthem at the time of the Cw because there was no German nation only 36 more or less small kingdoms and counties. The anthem we sing now was written in 1845 I think by Hoffmann von Fallersleben.
Are you also coming to the north of Germany Curt? I am living north of the Ruhrgebiet at the foot of the Teutoburger Wald, yes the very one where Augustus has lost three legions 9a.d.
Regards
J.H.Berger
Hornist

[MBBursig]

Gentlemen,
http://www.zeit.de/2002/34/200234_a-sigel_xml
I found this while searching for related songs. It is an article on Gen. Sigel, although I cannot read it, as my German is quite limited. The first few sentences aone give me a headache (but that's why I am taking German next semester in college).
Sigel was very active in the Turnverein in NY City, of which ironically I belong to the sister organization the Long Island Turners www.liturners.org Today there is still a bust of him at the Turner Club in the Bronx.
The Turners were very prevelent and a strong force to deal with in the US during the War, they formed Regiments (20th New York, 17th MO, I believe the 32nd Indiana and 9th Ohio had Turner elements as well), schutzen companies, and Carl Schurz was a Turner. Maybe there may be some Turner songs that would fit in what we are looking for. I may have a turner songook somewhere in my house?
Gut Heil,

[J.H.Berger]

Gentlemen,
http://www.zeit.de/2002/34/200234_a-sigel_xml
I found this while searching for related songs. It is an article on Gen. Sigel, although I cannot read it, as my German is quite limited. The first few sentences aone give me a headache (but that's why I am taking German next semester in college).
Sigel was very active in the Turnverein in NY City, of which ironically I belong to the sister organization the Long Island Turners www.liturners.org Today there is still a bust of him at the Turner Club in the Bronx.
The Turners were very prevelent and a strong force to deal with in the US during the War, they formed Regiments (20th New York, 17th MO, I believe the 32nd Indiana and 9th Ohio had Turner elements as well), schutzen companies, and Carl Schurz was a Turner. Maybe there may be some Turner songs that would fit in what we are looking for. I may have a turner songook somewhere in my house?
Gut Heil,


Hi Mathew,
very interetsing text about Siegel.
We it starts with an article about the celebration about the statue of Siegel at the Riverside Drive in Manhatten ( go there, search for it)
the rest is his history from Baden over Switzerland, France England to the US. Very informative.
Take German in college!!! Great idea!
Regards
J.H.Berger
Hornist

[Ringgold]

http://ringgold_redleg.home.mindspring.com/beerbottle.jpg

I figured if we are going to compete with the Irish stuff out there, we should have a drinking song or two in the mix. :sarcastic

Was denkst?

[J.H.Berger]

http://ringgold_redleg.home.mindspring.com/beerbottle.jpg

I figured if we are going to compete with the Irish stuff out there, we should have a drinking song or two in the mix. :sarcastic

Was denkst?


:wink_smil :) :) :) :) :)
Nice but not really about drinking but more metaphoric!
By the way has anybody of you read any referance about the fiollowing songs? I mean ever read in diaries or letters?
"Das Bürgerlied", "Es,es,es und es", "Soldatenschicksal"
Regards
Jan H. Berger
Hornist

[MBBursig]

Could anyone tell me what song this verse might come from? I found it in the book Der Turner Soldat: A Turner Soldier in America:

Kein Baum gehoerte mir von deinen Waeldern,
Mein war kein Halm auf deinen Roggenfeldern,
Und schutzlos hast du mich hinausgetrieben,
Weil ich in meiner Jugend nicht verstand
Dich wenigerund mehr mich selbst zu lieben,
Und dennoch lieb ich dich, mein Vaterland!

The song is described as a song of the Achtund-vierziger

The only other songs mentioned in the book are "Morgenrot" and while members of the Turnverein are at a Gymnastc meet at the Turner Hall in NYC this is written:
"We also formed two special groups, the singing section (Liedertafel)....Heinicke, Krueger, and Heimer were the first conductors of te Liedertafel. They often said, "Gehoert doch das deutsche Lied unzertrennlich zum Turnen."" But no song title is mentioned....
Also as the 20th New York "Turner" Regiment leaves Manhattan bands are described s playing "german melodies", but then again no titles.

Gut Heil,

[markj]

Here's another source for period German songs (including "Heckerlieder"):

www.ingeb.org

This guy even takes requests. I asked him to provide the lyrics for "Das treue Deutsche Herz" (mentioned as having been sung by the Saengerbund of the 26th Wisconsin) but, alas, I haven't been able to find the original music or, at least, a MIDI for it.

Regards,

Mark Jaeger

[MBBursig]

Greetings,
I found my family's little Long Island Turners Songbook, and running through it I came across the song "Turner, Auf Zum Streite" written in 1841 by A.H. Weismann. Much to my surprise I found it on the Volklieder site as well. This seems to be one of the Tunverein "Anthems" so to speak. Considering the size and popularity of the Turnvereins in America during the time of the civil war, and the Turner Regiments that were formed, this song had to have been sung. This is of course speculation but in Der Turner Soldat when the author writes,

"We also formed two special groups, the singing section (Liedertafel)....Heinicke, Krueger, and Heimer were the first conductors of te Liedertafel. They often said, "Gehoert doch das deutsche Lied unzertrennlich zum Turnen.""

The song the turner members are calling for may be "Turner, Auf Zum Streite".
I could also see members of a Turner Rifles regiment singing this song in dedicated service to thier respective Turnverein, sport and ideology.

"Turner, Auf Zum Streite"

Melodie-Joseph Hartmann Stuntz, 1847
Lyrics-A. Heinrich Weismann, 1841
l. Turner, auf zum Streite!
Tretet in die Bahn!
Kraft und Mut geleite
uns zum Sieg hinan!
|: Ja, zu hehrem Ziel
führet unser Spiel. :|

2. Nicht mit fremden Waffen s
chaffen wir uns Schutz;
was uns anerschaffen,
ist uns Schutz und Trutz.
|: Bleibt Natur uns treu,
stehn wir stark und frei! :|

3. Wie zum Turnerspiele
ziehn wir in die Welt;
der gelangt zum Ziele,
der sich tapfer hält.
|: Männern, stark und wahr,
strahlt der Himmel klar! :|

4. Auf denn, Turner, ringet,
prüft der Sehnen Kraft!
Doch zuvor umschlinget
euch als Bruderschaft:
|: Großes Werk gedeiht
nur durch Einigkeit! :|

As for the Melody, I'll do some desperate searches on the internet or could ask one of the older members of my Turner club how the song goes.

Gut Heil,

[J.H.Berger]

Greetings,
I found my family's little Long Island Turners Songbook, and running through it I came across the song "Turner, Auf Zum Streite" written in 1841 by A.H. Weismann. Much to my surprise I found it on the Volklieder site as well. This seems to be one of the Tunverein "Anthems" so to speak. Considering the size and popularity of the Turnvereins in America during the time of the civil war, and the Turner Regiments that were formed, this song had to have been sung. This is of course speculation but in Der Turner Soldat when the author writes,

"We also formed two special groups, the singing section (Liedertafel)....Heinicke, Krueger, and Heimer were the first conductors of te Liedertafel. They often said, "Gehoert doch das deutsche Lied unzertrennlich zum Turnen.""

The song the turner members are calling for may be "Turner, Auf Zum Streite".
I could also see members of a Turner Rifles regiment singing this song in dedicated service to thier respective Turnverein, sport and ideology.

"Turner, Auf Zum Streite"

Melodie-Joseph Hartmann Stuntz, 1847
Lyrics-A. Heinrich Weismann, 1841
l. Turner, auf zum Streite!
Tretet in die Bahn!
Kraft und Mut geleite
uns zum Sieg hinan!
|: Ja, zu hehrem Ziel
führet unser Spiel. :|

2. Nicht mit fremden Waffen s
chaffen wir uns Schutz;
was uns anerschaffen,
ist uns Schutz und Trutz.
|: Bleibt Natur uns treu,
stehn wir stark und frei! :|

3. Wie zum Turnerspiele
ziehn wir in die Welt;
der gelangt zum Ziele,
der sich tapfer hält.
|: Männern, stark und wahr,
strahlt der Himmel klar! :|

4. Auf denn, Turner, ringet,
prüft der Sehnen Kraft!
Doch zuvor umschlinget
euch als Bruderschaft:
|: Großes Werk gedeiht
nur durch Einigkeit! :|

As for the Melody, I'll do some desperate searches on the internet or could ask one of the older members of my Turner club how the song goes.

Gut Heil,


Kanerad Bursig!
It would be graet to get the tune!!!
I am putting together the lyrics of the different songs now first and let them be bound as a little facsimile booklet for reenactment use.
Vielen Dank für die Hilfe!
J.H.Berger
Hornist

[MBBursig]

Gentlemen,
I found a nice copy of a "Das Star-Spangled Banner" Broadside at the Library of Congres site:

http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?collId=amss&fileName=as1/as113160/amsspage.db&recNum=0&itemLink=D?amss:3:./temp/~ammem_I5vI

Gut Heil,

[J.H.Berger]

Gentlemen,
I found a nice copy of a "Das Star-Spangled Banner" Broadside at the Library of Congres site:

http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?collId=amss&fileName=as1/as113160/amsspage.db&recNum=0&itemLink=D?amss:3:./temp/~ammem_I5vI

Gut Heil,


Great!
I will add it to my list!
Regards
J.H.Berger
Hornist

[markj]

Great!
I will add it to my list!
Regards
J.H.Berger
Hornist

Jan-Henrik,

I finally found my original copy of "Lieder fur Soldaten" (printed by the American Tract Society around 1862). If you can resend your address to me

markj@purdue.edu

I will see about copying it off. Doing this will probably take quite a while since the original is very fragile. I should also add that I own two original German-language almanacs. These date from 1864 and 1865 and were printed in Pennsylvania.

bis spaeter,

Mark Jaeger

[Ringgold]

Hallo, Kameraden!

Ich bin zurück wieder! Ich entschuldige mich für die lange abwesenheit.

My little vest pocket songbook contains the following tune titled “Bundeslied”, but I have seen a very similar song entitled “Brause du Freiheitsgesang”, which has a more German native, rather than a German immigrant flavor. I know there is also a different song entitled “Bundeslied” that is a bit more radical in it’s content. Anyway, here goes my latest submission to this noble endeavor.

“Bundeslied”

Brause du Freiheitssang,
Brause wie Wogendrang
Aus Felsenbrust!
Feig bebt der Knechte Schwarm,
Uns schlägt das Herz so warm,
Uns zückt der Jünglingsarm
Voll Thatenlust.

Gott Vater, dir zum Ruhm,
Flammt Deutschlands Ritterthum
In uns auf’s Neu’.
Neu wird das alte Land,
Waschsend wie Feuersbrand,
Gott, Freiheit, Vaterland,
Altdeutsche Treu’!

Stolz, keusch und heilig sei,
Gläubig und keusch und frei
Hermann’s Geschlecht!
Zwingherrschaft, Zwinghernwitz
Tilgt Gottes Racheblitz -
Euch sei der Herrschersitz
Freiheit und Recht!

Freiheit in uns erwacht
Ist deine Geistermacht;
Heil dieser Stund'!
Glühend für Wissenschaft,
Blühend in Jugendkraft,
Sei Deutschlands Jüngerschaft
Ein Bruderbund.

Schalle, du Liederklang,
Schalle, Du Hochgesang,
Aus deutscher Brust!
Ein Herz, ein Leben ganz,
Stehn wir wie Wall und Schanz'
Um einer Sonne Glanz,
Voll Himmelust



I have noticed that this book tends to favor the "th" consonant over the single "t" in certain words. Is this just an "old-fashion" way of spelling the words?

[Ringgold]

Here is one just for Spaß! Since most everyone knows the tune to this one, perhaps it could be used to quickly set cadence for the Deutsche Kompanie at McDowell next year? Of course, the troops could play with the lyrics and change them to poke fun at whomever they choose, just like soldiers always have done . . .

“Ei du lieber Augustine”

Ei, du lieber Augustin,
'Geld ist weg,
‘s Mäd’l ist hin!
Ei du lieber Augustin,
Alles ist hin!

Bursche.

Denkt ihr denn, denkt ihr denn,
Mädchen sind theuer?
Fünfe für e’n Pfennig,
Und fünfzehn für e’n Dreier.

Mädchen.

Denkt ihr denn, denkt ihr denn
Jungen sind theuer?
Fünfzehn für e’n Pfennig,
Und sechzig für e’n Dreier.

Then again, maybe not . . . :sarcastic

[cwbelle]

I finally noticed this thread just now for some reason...great lyrics, thank you everyone for posting them!

Mr. Jaeger, you haven't found any publishers who have reproduced the book "Lieder fuer Soldaten" by chance? If so, please let me know!

Dankesehr!

[MBBursig]

Wie Geht's,

I found the melody for the Turner Song "Turner auf zum Streite"

http://www.tv-bexbach.de/tazs.htm

Gut Heil,

[markj]

I finally noticed this thread just now for some reason...great lyrics, thank you everyone for posting them!

Mr. Jaeger, you haven't found any publishers who have reproduced the book "Lieder fuer Soldaten" by chance? If so, please let me know!

Dankesehr!

Gruess Gott!

Sorry I didn't answer sooner. No, to my knowledge, this work has never been reproduced, probably due to its relative rarity and "limited market." The tunes appear to be the same that were published in an English-language army and navy hymnal that was published by the American Tract Society (these are fairly common and I've bought at least two of them on eBay).

I've thought about having this item reproduced--know anybody who might be able to help me out?

Bis spaeter,

Mark Jaeger

[cwbelle]

Gruess Gott!

Sorry I didn't answer sooner. No, to my knowledge, this work has never been reproduced, probably due to its relative rarity and "limited market." The tunes appear to be the same that were published in an English-language army and navy hymnal that was published by the American Tract Society (these are fairly common and I've bought at least two of them on eBay).

I've thought about having this item reproduced--know anybody who might be able to help me out?

Bis spaeter,

Mark Jaeger

hmmm...I don't know any good publishers at the moment who would be interested, but I'll keep an eye open for one. It would be really neat to have copies of it. Danke für deine Antwort!

Bis bald,
Lisa-Marie Clark

[cs10thva]

Her Berger,
Do you speak German?I would sure like to find Kameraden
That do.
Rich Magwwod,
10thVA inf.

[J.H.Berger]

Klar sprech ich Deutsch:p
contact me if you need more info.

[WILSONCREEK61]

Here's one that may help


Muß i' denn zum Städtele hinaus

Melodie - Melodie - Aus dem Remstal, zuerst bei Friedrich Silcher, 1827

2. & 3. Strophe Heinrich Wagner

1. Muß i' denn, muß i' denn
Zum Städtele hinaus,
Städtele hinaus
Und du mein Schatz bleibst hier
Wenn i' komm', wenn i' komm',
Wenn i' wiederum, wiederum komm',
Kehr i' ei' mei' Schatz bei dir
|: Kann i' glei' net allweil bei dir sei'
Han' i' doch mei' Freud' an dir
Wenn i' komm', wenn i' komm',
Wenn i' wiederum, wiederum komm',
Kehr' i' ei' mei' Schatz bei dir. :|

2. Wenn du weinst, wenn du weinst,
Daß i' wandere muß,
Wandere muß,
Wie wenn d'Lieb jetzt wär vorbei
Sind au' drauß, sind au' drauß,
Der Mädele viel, Mädele viel
Lieber Schatz, i' bleib dir treu.
|: Denk du nett wenn i' a and're seh
No sei mei Lieb' vorbei
Sind au' drauß, sind au' drauß,
Der Mädele viel, Mädele viel
Lieber Schatz, i' bleib dir treu. :|

3. Übers Jahr, übers Jahr,
Wenn mer Träubele schneidt,
Träubele schneidt,
Stell i' hier mi' wiedrum ei'
Bin i' dann, bin i' dann,
Dei' Schätzele no', Schätzele no'
So soll die Hochzeit sei.
|: Übers Jahr do ischt mei' Zeit vorbei
Do g'hör i' mei und dei
Bin i' dann, bin i' dann,
Dei' Schätzele no', Schätzele no'
So soll die Hochzeit sei. :|

Tr. & Phonetic Ver. Frank 1998

1. Got to go, got to go,
Got to leave this town,
Leave this town
And you, my dear, stay here.
When I'm back, when I'm back
When I'm back again, back again,
On your doorstep I'll appear.
|: Tho' I can't be with you all the time
My thoughts are with you, my dear
When I'm back, when I'm back
When I'm back again, back again,
On your doorstep I'll appear. :|

2. Don't you cry, don't you cry,
'cause I've got to go,
Got to go,
As if our love was now gone.
Tho' out there, tho' out there
Are so many girls, many girls,
I'll stay true to you alone.
|: Don't think when I see another girl
My love for you, it will be gone.
Tho' out there, tho' out there
Are so many girls, many girls,
I'll stay true to you alone. :|

3. In a year, in a year,
With grapes ripe on the vine,
Ripe on the vine,
Then, again it's here I'll be.
If by then, if by then,
I am still your beau, still your beau
We will wed, my bride you'll be.
|: In a year my time, it will be done
And then it is your's I will be.
If by then, if by then,
I am still your beau, still your beau,
We will wed, my bride you'll be. :|

[WILSONCREEK61]

Although a mix of periods, if you happen upon a song of the period and need the lyricks you might find it here; http://ingeb.org/Volksong.html . Just a thought, but it might help.

[Lone Guard]

Great thread. I've been trying to find some German songs to sing around the campfire and annoy my pards with.

[styler]

If this thread is still viable: Jerry Ernst has performances of "Morganrot" and "Die Lorelie" in German on two of the CDs of CW music he has available through cdbaby.com I know that he's done research at the Sibley Library of the Eastman School of Music, so if there are questions regarding original tunes or lyrics he may be able to help. The last email address I had for him is jerund (jerund@frontiernet.net) at frontiernet.net (forgive the notation, I don't want him flooded by spammers).

[J.H.Berger]

Great thread. I've been trying to find some German songs to sing around the campfire and annoy my pards with.

Well two songbooks in period attire, one facsimile of an original CW soldiers songbook and one made in the same manner by us with typicaland proven German Civil War songs is still available at Mark Jaeger markj@purdue.edu

For 16$ you get a real nice piece. contact him!

[Pvt Schnapps]

Jan and Mark,
I don't know if this has been picked up yet on this thread, but the recent translation of German letters home (Germans in the Civil War) specifically mentions the song "Hinaus in die Ferne" being sung by the 8th New York as they marched into battle at Cross Keys: see http://ingeb.org/Lieder/hinausin.html or http://www.rcaguilar.com/lieder/texte/inferne.htm

I'd love to hear a recording of this, in lieu of which I think I'll try to get a couple verses memorized for the coming season:

Hinaus in die Ferne
Mit lautem Hörnerklang,
Die Stimmen erhebet
Zum mächtigen Gesang.
|: Der Freiheit Hauch
Weht kräftig durch die Welt,
Ein freies, frohes Leben
Uns wohlgefällt. :|

Wir halten zusammen,
Wie treue Brüder tun,
Wenn Tod uns umtobet
Und wenn die Waffen ruh'n.
|: Uns alle treibt
Ein reiner, freier Sinn,
Nach einem Ziele streben
Wir alle hin! :|

[J.H.Berger]

Super Michael!!
I am always searching for quotes!! We are already collecting songs for the next edition of our songbook. Another one which was sung by some Germans in the Washington Artillery of New Orleans was " Du, du liegst mir im Herzen"
If you find more let me know please!!!
Jan

[Robert A Mosher]

Jan -
If you still need Du, du liegst mir im Herzen, I have it in Deutsche Lieder: Scherer und Dirts, published in 1913 by the American Book Company. I can scan it (one page) music and lyrics and send it to you.

Robert A. Mosher

[J.H.Berger]

Thanks Robert but I have that lyrics.

[Charles Kaiser]

Hallo Kameraden,
I am Lokking for German songs, sung by civil war Soldiers. I know also a lot of them, like "Morgenrot", Du,du liegst mir am Herzen,(I found it in a German book called translated "the last of Eight", a Book of German Volunteers in The washington Atillery of New Orleans, published 1870 in Heidelberg(Germany) and Philadelphia. I looked out for letters , Memories or so on, were a song was called up. I hope that many of you had read such things.

[markj]

Deutschen Soldatenlieder

Documented songs

“Marseillaise” (Possibly Arbeiter-Marseillaise) (32nd Indiana, reported in New York Times, 20 January 1862. Also mentioned as being played by the band in Chaplain Ganter's (15th Ohio) account of the Rowlett's Station burials in Frank Moore's Rebellion Record.

Schleswig-Holstein Meerumschlungen (I believe this is either mentioned in the 26th Wisconsin regimental history or 26th WVI letters of Frederick Winkler – reportedly played by the regimental band)

Das Treue Deutsche Herz (The Sigel Regiment, 26th Wisconsin)
http://www.russscott.com/~rscott/26thwis/franzsig.htm

In der Heimat ist es schoen (same as above)

Morgenrot, Morgenrot (Regimental History of the 9th Ohio (i.e., Die Neuner)

Wohlauf, Kameraden aufs Pferd (Mentioned in a Cincinnati newspaper as requested by August Willich of the 9th Ohio)

Die Fahnenwacht (Regimental anthem of Sigel’s 3rd Missouri Volunteer Infantry: Rowan, S., sel. and transl., Primm, J. N., intro. and comm. Germans for a Free Missouri: Translations from the St. Louis Radical Press, 1857-1862. Columbia MO: University of Missouri Press, 1983.)

Lyrics for all of the above (along with sound files for most) are listed on:

www.ingeb.org


Some others to consider:

Ein Heller und ein Batzen (East Prussian tune, dates to at least 1830’s)
John Brown’s Body
Ein Feste Burg ist Unser Gott
Muß i' denn zum Städtele hinaus (1827)
Flamme empor!
Heckerlied

Some other traditional tunes likely known by many ethnic German troops are "Die Gedanken sind frei," "Ansbach Dragoner" (aka "Hohenfriedburger Marsch"), "Schwarzbraun ist die Haselnuss," and "Drei Lilien."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmjdYNU7QaU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkhOxFtj7Eo&feature=related

http://www.liedertafel.business.t-online.de/intro.htm (You can find many many tunes here in addition to the www.ingeb.org site)

Also try some Turnerlieder such as "Turner auf zum Streite."

http://ingeb.org/Lieder/turnerau.html

Perennials like "Deutschland ueber alles" and "Die Wacht am Rhein," while of pre-Civil War origin, at most, do not appear to have been widely sung. "Deutschland ueber alles" did not gain official status as a German national anthem until 1922, while "Die Wacht am Rhein" doesn't seem to have entered wide popularity until the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871.

And, for God's sake, stay away from "Ein Prosit." From all indications, it wasn't composed any earlier than the late 1890's.

Bis bald,

Mark Jaeger

[GermanDraftee]

Mark has most of them well covered. (I love singing "Muss i' denn".) I'll only suggest "Kriegslied der Division Blenker", and some others that you can find at http://www.gtg1848.de/ (Geschichtstheatergesellschaft e.V.)

You might also consider some hymns & carols. "Grosser Gott, wir loben dich", "Nun danket alle Gott", "Stille Nacht" and "Es ist ein Ros' entsprungen", would be but a few.

herzliche Grüße,

[MBBursig]

And for the season:

"Stille Nacht", "O Tannenbaum" und "Es ist ein Ros' entsprungen". Silent Night in particular is interesting because I remember reading somewhere that the lyrics were not translated into English until 1863. Of course "Tannenbaum" was a popular melody among Americans as well.

There was a great forum on here once about German songs that we all succesfully collected together, don't know if it is still around on the AC though.

Gut Heil,

[eric marten]

Those looking into historical German Christmas songs or hymns might want to check out O Du Froehliche, one of the most popular German carols. It is actually a translation of the original Marian Latin Hymn from the 17th century entitled O Sanctissima, and translated into English as O Thou Joyful Day. If the name doesn't ring a bell, as soon as you hear the beautiful and very singable melody, you will recognize it. You can go on line and hear many recordings, including the Vienna Boys Choir.

[GermanDraftee]

The English translation of "Stille Nacht" that we know was done by Reverend John Freeman Young, then an Episcopal priest in New York and later Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Florida. And yes, his translation is dated to 1863. (Bill Egan: http://www.silentnight.web.za/history/index.htm Go to the "articles" page and click on "The Florida Connection.")

[Dan Munson]

Herr Thielmann suggested, above, looking at the "Geschichtstheatergesellschaft e.V." web site. One of the songs listed there is "The Why and the Wherefore" an American version of a German "traditional song". The German song is called "Es, Es, Es und Es" and is dated (by one German folk song web site) to the 1780s. I believe you will find it (and a melody file) at the http://ingeb.org/Volksong.html site that someone else recommended above. Lots of dated material on that site, as well as at http://www.musicanet.org/robokopp/Volksong.html.

Without repeating any of the fine material already suggested by others above, some of my own favorites include:

Ins Feld, Ins Feld Mit Hecker (tune:Ich Hatt' Einenen Kameraden)
Es Leben Die Soldaten (1813)
Ich Hatt' Einenen Kameraden (words: 1809; melody:1825)
Der Gott der Eisen Wachsen Liess (1812..and pretty blood-thirsty!)
...and of course...
Die Gedanken Sind Frei (1815)

Lebe wohl, Kamerad!

[J.H.Berger]

Christof, you should state that we are already aware of the songs of the Theatergesellschaft and all the other songs we have collected, I mean if you search for more you should state which songs we already have as your question about German songs was already asked here by me a while back.
I think we mainly search for everyday songs. Christmas and Church songs still sung today were of course alrady in wide use. But we search for songs with provenance in letters etc.
Thank you!

[J.H.Berger]

Christof, you should state that we are already aware of the songs of the Theatergesellschaft and all the other songs we have collected, I mean if you search for more you should state which songs we already have as your question about German songs was already asked here by me a while back.
I think we mainly search for everyday songs. Christmas and Church songs still sung today were of course already in wide use. But we search for songs with provenance in letters etc.
Thank you!

[GermanDraftee]

Hi Jan,

Well, at least you know that we paid attention to the things that you (and others) told us.

Die herzlichsten Wünsche für ein frohes Weinachtfest und ein glückliches Neues Jahr.

(Feel free to correct my German. I'm still learning.)

[J.H.Berger]

Vielen Dank John! Da gibt es nichts zu korrigieren. Auch Euch allen ein frohes Weihnachtsfest und einen guten Rutsch ins neue Jahr!

[Charles Kaiser]

Hallo John,
da kann ich mich nur anschließen,. Allen ein frohes Fest, und ein glückliches Jahr 2008!

[Charles Kaiser]

Hallo Jan,
what you wrote in your post is correct, but remember I wrote in my first post, that I am looking for Information from out of letters or memorys. I think the Problem is, that Letters or Memorys in German are worthless for the most of the Amerikans, because ththey cannt read them. I have a problem with the Sütterlin typographig too. I think there could be many interresting thinks be written in the letters, but the Amerikan own them, but could not read, and we could read, but we dont own them. So to our american friends, who own such a memorablia, is it possible to copy, and to mail it to us? I have some neighbours who can read it(Sütterlin). I will translate them to english and send back, so that everyone can use the Information.

[GermanDraftee]

Charles & Jan,
***
Am Weihnachtstag, als meine Familie singt "O Tannenbaum" und "Stille Nacht", Ich werde anheben Ein stein von rauchbier auf Ihre Gesundheit und Glück.

John

[J.H.Berger]

:)Danke John!
So if anybody might be in possesion of original letters written in German, copies of them would be really a neat thing! The translations would follow;)

[MBBursig]

My turnverein has in their archives many papers pertaining to the 20th NY Turner Regt. I am in the process going through these papers and transcribing many of them. A great deal of them are in German. Unfortunately, the sorting and reading of these documents has become a long process since I started teaching this year, and don't have much time for independent research. When I get more time and if I come across something I can't handle reading/translating I will let our kameraden im deutschland know.

Prosit,

Matt

[J.H.Berger]

Matt, you are welcome to do so!!
Jan