June Tabor - Music of World War I

The sultry-voiced English folk singer June Tabor discusses the role of music during the tumultous years of World War I. She also performs haunting renditions of "Long Way to Tipperary" and "Lilli Marlene".

Much of the music associated with the First World War was either wildly patriotic or whimsical, drawing on the great British music hall tradition of the late 1800s. Some songs, however, expressed more serious and sincere feelings and observations. "Lili Marlene", or the 'Girl under the Lantern', was written by a heart-broken German teacher who was conscripted in 1915. The song was little known until a German radio station began playing it in 1941, and it became broadly popular amongst both the German and Allied armies as a lament for distant lovers.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• music
• June Tabor
• World War I
• Long Way to Tipperary
• Lilli Marlene

[toftmf]

This is a wonderful video...can't thank you enough for sharing!!

[musicinhistory]

You're welcome. It is beautiful, isn't it? I've heard Lilli Marlene performed by Marlene Dietrich, Perry Como and others - but this one captures the real, heart-breaking sadness of war.

[toftmf]

Indeed it does. June Tabor is a favorite of mine and to me she does justice to all she performs, but surpasses herself with "Lilli Marlene". Do you know if she does "A Long Way to Tipperary" on one of her CD's? I seem to recall her singing it, maybe in conjunction with "And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda".

[musicinhistory]

Yes, it appears on A Quiet Eye (2000). This video was made about the same time so that's probably why. I can't seem to find a CD/MP3 of her doing Lilli Marlene unfortunately, though I know that she's done it in concert.

[andreasegde]

Beautiful.

[rodneydeb1]

This is from a Documentary called Freedom Highway: Songs that Shaped a Century, directed by Phillip King. It also featured some other great performances. If any one has it could they make some more available. Thank you to the uploader.

[enazimko1983]

I don't know if you are looking for a particular version of Lili Marlene, but there is a beautiful rendition of it done by Canadian folk singer John McDermott on his CD called "Rememberence"

[flatus69]

How do I find this on DVD or VHS: esp. a format that will play in the US?

[flatus69]

Wouldn't it be nice if "Lili Marlene" were available on cd?

[verrejoputa]

woooow beautiful

[flatus69]

I imagine that JT has not recorded this song out of respect for the memory of Marlene Dietrich.

[flatus69]

Yes,June Tabor sings this on her cd "A Quiet Eye".

[toftmf]

Thanks for answering my question...I have that CD, just not loaded on my computer currently. I'll have to dig it out.