What a fantastic job by the German band and what a wonderful goodbye to the US forces. I served there from '77 to '81 on Andrews Barracks. Thanks seeing this brought back fond memories of a great tour of duty and a wonderful people. Best wishes.
American military bands play a great deal of music by German composers! More to the point is that Sousa is one of those rare composers that crosses all borders. His music is that good.
I agree. The allied troops are seen off as friends by the German people - they German government insisted the allied farewell and the Russian farewell be in two separate occassions, so as not to confused the meaning of the farewell. And Germans generally agree with their government on the decision.
The US Forces in Berlin, along with the Other forces from England(The french didnt really do much but take up space...) where the only reason the Russians didn't march in and take the rest of the Beautiful city of Berlin. They remained there to ensure that the New Russian Federation would not try anything. They finally left when all four nations finally agreed, Germany was strong enough to defend itself once more.
This was wonderful! I wish this band was in my home town armed forces day parade in May (in the US). Thanks so much for this and all the great music on this site.
Love the solo flute part. It gives an air of lightness to the march. Kind of makes one wonder why the US always play swing songs. Surely there are other great tunes by Sousa, perhaps even one or two by others. :)
Not a flute but piccolo. US does not always play swing songs. In fact, Stars and Stripes has been considered for the National anthem and is played by every US military band on a regular basis.
@kimidayo1 It's hard to conceive of the United States without John Philip Sousa. He also wrote the most famous "Washington Post" (referring to a type of march, not the newspaper) and "Liberty Bell" (ever listen to Monty Python) and offered "Wisconsin Forward Forever" to the University of Wisconsin (went instead with On! Wisconsin).
This is from the "goodbye" ceremony to Allied Troops leaving Berlin 1994. A nice farewell if you ask me. They also played British and French songs that day.
@schlawa I'll still never understand why France got a "zone of occupation". They didn't do shit besides lose the fucking war, then rushed in to claim their prize after The U.K., US, and Russia had done all the work. I think the Germans should given them a finger up, if you catch my drift, because they didn't really lose to France.
@lastminuteregret The british got beaten just as hard as the french at the start of the war, and if it wasn't for their channel they would have suffered the same fate. Besides, at the end of the war the free french did a lot at the allied landing in the south of france.
@slome815 Agree Sloma, but note that the British were back fighting in North Africa within five months. We were bombing European targets even as far as Berlin within days! While the whole war lasted we fought and won the battle of the Atlantic. During the Battle of Brition; we cleared our skys within four months!
@lastminuteregret They never got a zone Schlawa, Stalin disallowed it in the Yalta Conference. France was given a piece of zone each from the US and the UK. In Berlin France were also given a piece of city secter each from the US and UK.
@overopensights They were sceded parts of zones from Britain and the United States...therefore they DID have a zone of occupation. I never mentioned Yalta...
@lastminuteregret Yes I know that and I state it in my post below. I spent time at the 'Alied Comandaturer' in Berlin where it was all well known. As an aside. The British trained hard for all eventuallities in Berlin. It was a hard posting as far as field traning went. All was paid for by the Berlin senate. The French took complete advantage of this fact by training their army recruits in Berlin. Whilst we had 'good battalions' there we worked alongside six week stage French recruits.
Besides being a good "tune," there has to be a reason. The video shows several US soldiers in attendance in front. I suspect it is just out of respect of visitors. I am sure if the US had decent martial music other than Sousa, you would hear more played. The US seems to like playing "swing or rock" rather than marching tunes. The Germans have lots of old, old good melodies as with the English. Perhaps there will come a day composition will turn again in the US>
My God... I mean, I knew that Germany and the Bundeswehr itself is heavily influenced by the US (with those damned berets replacing German helmets), this is just... wow.
It is a farewell ceremony to American troops leaving Berlin, not that the German Military would play US songs on any other occasion than a joint parade. :) If you want to smile watch the "Obama in Heidelberg" video, where he is greeted with the "prussian presenters march"
What a fantastic job by the German band and what a wonderful goodbye to the US forces. I served there from '77 to '81 on Andrews Barracks. Thanks seeing this brought back fond memories of a great tour of duty and a wonderful people. Best wishes.
sandrastarling 1 month ago
American military bands play a great deal of music by German composers! More to the point is that Sousa is one of those rare composers that crosses all borders. His music is that good.
Jelennuie 5 months ago
@GeneralBurkhalter
I agree. The allied troops are seen off as friends by the German people - they German government insisted the allied farewell and the Russian farewell be in two separate occassions, so as not to confused the meaning of the farewell. And Germans generally agree with their government on the decision.
ragnarokf 10 months ago
finally they´re gone
tropicthunder332 11 months ago
@tropicthunder332
It was almost TWENTY years ago.
Bit late to be saying "Finally"...
GeneralBurkhalter1 11 months ago
@GeneralBurkhalter1 better late then never ;)
tropicthunder332 11 months ago
@tropicthunder332
And i wouldn't be saying "Finally" Either.
The US Forces in Berlin, along with the Other forces from England(The french didnt really do much but take up space...) where the only reason the Russians didn't march in and take the rest of the Beautiful city of Berlin. They remained there to ensure that the New Russian Federation would not try anything. They finally left when all four nations finally agreed, Germany was strong enough to defend itself once more.
GeneralBurkhalter1 11 months ago
Very well done!!!
dodger4754 1 year ago
A German playing an American march; that is hilarious!
SantaFe19484 1 year ago
This was wonderful! I wish this band was in my home town armed forces day parade in May (in the US). Thanks so much for this and all the great music on this site.
Jeeves1952 2 years ago 4
Love the solo flute part. It gives an air of lightness to the march. Kind of makes one wonder why the US always play swing songs. Surely there are other great tunes by Sousa, perhaps even one or two by others. :)
kimidayo1 2 years ago
Not a flute but piccolo. US does not always play swing songs. In fact, Stars and Stripes has been considered for the National anthem and is played by every US military band on a regular basis.
darkmini 2 years ago
@darkmini By Act of Congress, it is the National March of the United States of America, although it's more of a concert march than a parade march.
At a fireworks show, it often precedes a flag display and the grand finale.
If you hear it at the circus, look for the nearest exit and proceed that way in a calm manner.
SHKarlson 1 year ago
@kimidayo1 It's hard to conceive of the United States without John Philip Sousa. He also wrote the most famous "Washington Post" (referring to a type of march, not the newspaper) and "Liberty Bell" (ever listen to Monty Python) and offered "Wisconsin Forward Forever" to the University of Wisconsin (went instead with On! Wisconsin).
SHKarlson 1 year ago
This is from the "goodbye" ceremony to Allied Troops leaving Berlin 1994. A nice farewell if you ask me. They also played British and French songs that day.
schlawa 2 years ago 22
did the troops leaving Iraq in June 2009 get one of these?
dhill114 2 years ago
What sort of question is that ? Why should Germans play a salute to Americans leaving Iraq ?
schlawa 2 years ago
no they got shot at :(
EuphPlayer0809 2 years ago
@schlawa I'll still never understand why France got a "zone of occupation". They didn't do shit besides lose the fucking war, then rushed in to claim their prize after The U.K., US, and Russia had done all the work. I think the Germans should given them a finger up, if you catch my drift, because they didn't really lose to France.
lastminuteregret 1 year ago
@lastminuteregret The british got beaten just as hard as the french at the start of the war, and if it wasn't for their channel they would have suffered the same fate. Besides, at the end of the war the free french did a lot at the allied landing in the south of france.
slome815 1 year ago
@slome815 Agree Sloma, but note that the British were back fighting in North Africa within five months. We were bombing European targets even as far as Berlin within days! While the whole war lasted we fought and won the battle of the Atlantic. During the Battle of Brition; we cleared our skys within four months!
overopensights 1 year ago
@lastminuteregret They never got a zone Schlawa, Stalin disallowed it in the Yalta Conference. France was given a piece of zone each from the US and the UK. In Berlin France were also given a piece of city secter each from the US and UK.
overopensights 1 year ago
@overopensights They were sceded parts of zones from Britain and the United States...therefore they DID have a zone of occupation. I never mentioned Yalta...
lastminuteregret 1 year ago
@lastminuteregret Yes I know that and I state it in my post below. I spent time at the 'Alied Comandaturer' in Berlin where it was all well known. As an aside. The British trained hard for all eventuallities in Berlin. It was a hard posting as far as field traning went. All was paid for by the Berlin senate. The French took complete advantage of this fact by training their army recruits in Berlin. Whilst we had 'good battalions' there we worked alongside six week stage French recruits.
overopensights 1 year ago
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Germans playing John Phillip Sousa is just wrong...... There is no god because of this...
panzersam 2 years ago
lol did someone actually give me a bad rating on my comment? haha God forbid someone ask a valid question.
joelfracis 2 years ago
ooooo ojaojaoja dios mio!
ramirosky 2 years ago
is there a reason why they are playing Stars and Stripes? or just a random march they happen to like?
joelfracis 2 years ago 5
Allied troops leaving (West-)Berlin.
Winnie9212 2 years ago 3
@Winnie9212
hätte man dann nicht besser den Pariser-Einzugsmarsch spielen sollen?^^
16891291616 8 months ago
Besides being a good "tune," there has to be a reason. The video shows several US soldiers in attendance in front. I suspect it is just out of respect of visitors. I am sure if the US had decent martial music other than Sousa, you would hear more played. The US seems to like playing "swing or rock" rather than marching tunes. The Germans have lots of old, old good melodies as with the English. Perhaps there will come a day composition will turn again in the US>
oldbobg 2 years ago 4
@joelfracis It is the National March of the United States of America, and that German band did a proper job performing it.
SHKarlson 1 year ago
My God... I mean, I knew that Germany and the Bundeswehr itself is heavily influenced by the US (with those damned berets replacing German helmets), this is just... wow.
buran225 2 years ago 4
it's a sign of friendship
18Unity48 2 years ago 9
It is a farewell ceremony to American troops leaving Berlin, not that the German Military would play US songs on any other occasion than a joint parade. :) If you want to smile watch the "Obama in Heidelberg" video, where he is greeted with the "prussian presenters march"
schlawa 2 years ago 16
@schlawa ..Obama is too ignorant to know WHAT he was greeted with. Maybe Aretha Franklin (shudder) would have been more fitting.
SpeedyNeutrino43 1 year ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
German band playing Stars and Stripes Forever?
I need to watch my eyes with bleach.
emptyangel 2 years ago
Did you know that the German Navy bands used to play this song to returning U-Boats throughout the war.
I never did find out the reason why, but it was done.
JohnnyH1982 2 years ago 4
Well played ! Thanks for the post !
Railroadhill 2 years ago 6