Ted Heath and His Music 'The Faithful Hussar'

[plafkinfarms]

I cannot respond very well to German music; after seeing the films of the Concentration Camps, I cannot associate German culture with an uplifting spirit. I am not trying to offend anyone; however my heart sinks when I see human bodies bulldozed into common graves.

Roger Plafkin--Plafkin Farms, Ada, Michigan

[MrOregona230]

I can't stop whistling this tune since I saw Paths of Glory.

[Wodanaz]

@twinidee Actually many pieces of folk music get lifted and become famous for composers. Very interesting, isn't it?

[ferrarial]

@twinidee Spot on, I never put the two together, now it's all I can hear

[Wodanaz]

@ferrarial It is similar but not quite. Most the similarity come from how repetitive it is and the fact it is played in a similar way. I hoped it would be closer when it was mentioned.

[ozeand11]

I don´t know any english translation version. One "friendly" german text is eg.

Als er aus dem Manöver kam nahm er sein Mädel gleich in den Arm. Gab ihr ´nen Kuss und noch viel mehr die Liebe nahm kein Ende mehr

Und eines Tags im Monat Mai da waren die zwei auf einmal Drei. Erst Drei und Vier und noch viel mehr, die Liebe nahm kein Ende mehr

[bonetti101]

@ozeand11, fantastic memories for me i used tol play this in the bars in viersen germany in the 1950s it was on all the jukeboxes , jim ,

[ozeand11]

Now a days only a few germans knows this song and if they know it they sing the song with fervent cheerfulness! It ´s because they sing a different, very friendly text. It´s a carnival song

[ferrarial]

@ozeand11 Thank you for the German side to this tune, I wonder if there is an English translation version of this instead of the alternate lyric one by Vera Lynn

[ozeand11]

@ferrarial When he came home from the manouver, he takes his girl right in his arms, gave her a kiss and a lot of more, the love never found an end

And one day in may the two went three, first three then four and lots of more the love never found an end  ....

one idea of carnival is to show the "stupidness" of war. Thats why they wear nonsens uniforms in silly colors and thats the reason why a tragic traditional song turns to a cheerful one

[stinson86]

@ferrarial there is wikipedia it

[2arbee]

people this is music not a political football. Enjoy and chill out! The Ted Heath band played for enjoyment of all and was a-political in those days. Love live the 50s and 60s for music not politics!!

[crossleydd42]

I agree! For a song with such tragic lyrics, (soldier goes to war, returns just too late when he hears that his true love is very ill, then has to bury her), the only sad version I've found is the one at the end of the film. Most Germans sing the song with fervent cheerfulness! Very strange!

[crossleydd42]

This tune was taken from an old German folksong from around 1825 and featured in the 1957 film 'Paths of Glory'. Clips of the scene with this tune being sung can be found elsewehere on this site.

[ferrarial]

Thanks for the info, very good war film starring kirk douglas the song is sung in German at the end of the film

[rsrtaipoo]

Can still imagine my dad's 78 going round and round on the turntable.... thank u

[cakeyspig]

Ted Heath's band were superb!