The Obernkirchen Children's Choir 'The Happy Wanderer' 78 RPM

[mh605]

Love this! Thanks! Happy wanderer was a favorite of mine as a child.

[EdmondEverest]

Wikipedia says ""The Happy Wanderer" ... is a popular song by Friedrich-Wilhelm Möller written shortly after World War II. It is often mistaken for a German folk song, but it is actually an original composition. His sister Edith Möller conducted a small amateur children's and youth choir in Schaumburg County, Northern Germany, internationally named Obernkirchen Children's Choir, in Germany named Schaumburger Märchensänger."

[SeniorSuperstud]

It was originally written in German but has been translated into many languages. My "kids singing" playlist includes this song sung in Mandarin.

[Meanmanmartin2007]

Out of interest, was this song originally written in English or in German? 

[ferrarial]

@Meanmanmartin2007 it was originally written in German shortly after WWII by Friedrich-Wilhelm Möller the brother of Edith Möller who conducted the choir

[Meanmanmartin2007]

@ferrarial Thanks for explaining

[Meanmanmartin2007]

@ferrarial Thanks for explaining

[deakon452876]

@ferrarial no the song was made before WW2. the german army often sung this song at there parties during the war.

[lisbeth580]

@Meanmanmartin2007 in german :D

i'm a member of the choir today and we have to sing it so often!

[Meanmanmartin2007]

@lisbeth580 Thats really interesting stuff. I bet it gets a bit tiring after a while.

[amy1227]

you all disgusting nazi's. this song is a disgrace, the happy wanderer, ya because there are no jews in your lousy land

[ghettofreeze]

Calm down, @amy1227. There are no Nazis here. The song was written after the war, and the choir is made up mostly of orphans. Moreover, this version of the song became popular in the UK in 1954.

Hope you find some peace, Amy.

[lanzanut]

An absolute gem from a bygone age, such refreshing singing from a group of youngish children, very popular on childrens hour with "Uncle Mac" on Saturday mornings in the 1950s, did they record very much after this?

[ferrarial]

@lanzanut They have continued to record over the years though obviously the members change regularly. Information on the choir is scarce and mainly found on german websites.

[madgeson]

Wonderful! Thanks for posting.

[ferrarial]

@jeffdarga1 It would be great if you could upload some of the songs

[73093ful]

had to write again, my german language, both speaking and understanding of it, quite frankly is non-existent except for the odd phrase, but what i am getting from the comments is that everybody's spirits are lifted on hearing THE HAPPY WANDERER again, as are mine.........song, altho not a christmas song, has a great seasonal feel and i can only say once again, vielen dank for the chance to hear it again after all this time............mick (merseyside)

[73093ful]

didnt take much notice to this at the time as my head was full of rock around the clock and all that followed after, thats why when heard it on radio 2 last nite i just cracked. took that hearing 50-odd years on to make me appreciate wot a great tune it was and beautifully sang by those kids who would be parents and grandparents like myself now!.... mick(merseyside)

[tritonusgesang]

Viiiiiiiiiiiieeeeeeeeeeelen Dank für die Veröffentlichung dieses wunderschönen Videos! - Es ist eine Erinnerung aus früheren Zeiten, meine Entdeckung des ersten wirklich guten deutschen Kinderchors. -

[ferrarial]

@tritonusgesang - Vielen dank, ich bin so froh, das sie genossen es weider gehor

[anacronist22]

I used to listen to this recording as a child...it brings back fond memories.

[gusgorilla76]

I had an original copy of this only to have it smashed as a punishment when I was 15. Haven't heard the song since, so it was great to key in "obernkirchen" and find it! Thanks for posting this memory, it quite bowled me over to hear these happy, innocent voices again.