Soldier song

The Argonnerwaldlied , picture postcard from the First World War

A soldier's song is a song that is usually sung in the military without an instrument. In contrast, marches , for example on festive occasions, are played by a band. Soldiers' songs are often marching songs, the rhythm of which is easy to march and which are therefore also sung during the march.

Some German soldier songs from the 19th century, like old sea shanties, are based on church hymns in their melody, for example O Germany in high honor . The lyrics are popular. Most of the time, the songs are supposed to provide amusement and courage and strengthen the feeling of camaraderie - whether on the march, in battle or in the camp. In addition to timeless themes such as love, homesickness and the experience of nature, some songs also have propagandistic significance, especially in the armies of totalitarian states such as the Wehrmacht under National Socialism or the NVA of the GDR, where the collective singing also promotes the soldiers' emotional bond with the ruler and / or should consolidate the state ideology.

Examples of German soldier songs are Ein Heller und ein Batzen , It is so nice to be a soldier, Morgenrot, Westerwald and Ich hatt 'ein Kameraden ( The Good Comrade ) or the Kutschkelied .

See also

• Tank song
• Comrades sing!
  • List of songs in the songbook Comrades Sings!
• War song
• Field hymn book

literature

• Eva Maria Hois: Soldiers Song . In: Oesterreichisches Musiklexikon . Online edition, Vienna 2002 ff., ISBN 3-7001-3077-5 ; Print edition: Volume 5, Verlag der Österreichischen Akademie der Wissenschaften, Vienna 2006, ISBN 3-7001-3067-8 .

Web links

• Soldier songs at www.volksliederarchiv.de