German Day Parade
2023
Wilkommen!
Scroll down to see a selection of today's music!
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Marsch des Yorckschen Korps
~1808/09 - Ludwig van Beethoven
A traditional German march composed by Beethoven, this tune is a part of the preussische Armeemarschsammlung (Prussian Army March Collection) commissioned by Friedrich Wilhelm III, and would have been familiar to many members of the Ninth.
So leben wir/Dessauermarsch
Set to the tune of the Dessauermarsch, So leben wir is a soldier's/drinking song quoted in a letter to Cincinnati during the Niners' Christmas celebrations on December 24th, 1861. There are many versions, including some with rather risqué lyrics! We've included one of the milder versions and a translation below:
So leben wir, so leben wir,
So leb'n wir alle Tage
In der allerschönsten Kneipkompagnie!
Des Morgens bei dem klaren Wein
des Mittags bei dem Bier
vor Morgengrau´n geht’s nicht ins Nachtquartier!
That's how we live, that's how we live,
That's how we live everyday
In the most beautiful Pub Company!
In the morning with the clear wine,
At noon with the beer,
And we don't go to bed before dawn!
Es, es, es und es
Also known as the "Craftsman's Farewell", this is a popular folk song that tells the tale of a craftsman embarking on his "Wandering Years", and his very strong opinions of his hosts! Here are just two of the verses:
Er, er, er und er,
Herr Meister, leb er wohl! -:
Ich sags ihm grad frei ins Gesicht,
Seine Arbeit die gefällt mir nicht!
Ich will mein Glück probieren,
Marschieren!
Him, him, him and him,
Farewell, Herr Master!
I said right to his face
I did not enjoy his work!
I'll try my luck, march on!
Sie, sie, sie und sie,
Frau Meisterin, leb sie wohl! -:
Ich sag ihr grad frei ins Gesicht,
Ihr Speck und Kraut das schmeckt mir nicht!
Ich will mein Glück probieren,
Marschieren!
Her, her, her and her,
Farewell to the Master's wife!
I said right to her face
I did not like her bacon and kraut!
I'll try my luck, march on!
Dr. Eisenbarth
~1800 - Unknown
This is a student's drinking song, but references an actual historical figure, Johann Andreas Eisenbarth. Its significance to the Ninth is that they apparently sang it repeatedly for Andrew S. Burt, an officer on McCook's staff who enjoyed the tune and the funny refrain.
Ich bin der Doktor Eisenbarth
Zwirlele witta boom boom!
Kurier' die Leut' nach meinem Art
Zwirlele witta boom boom!
Kann machen dass die Blinden geh'n
Zwirlele witta juch-heirassa!
Und dass die Lamen wieder seh'n!
Zwirlele witta boom boom!
Here, Dr. Eisenbarth is known to make the blind walk and the lame see!
Die Wacht am Rhein
Lyrics 1840 - Schneckenburger/Melody - 1854 - Wilhelm
This song must have held a special place in the Niners' hearts, as a rewritten version of it was sung at their 50 year anniversary in 1911. Today, we play Die Wacht am Rhein - in Over-the-Rhine - for likely the first time on fife and drum in over 100 years! We'll include a translation of the first two verses of both versions below.
Original:
There is a call booming like rolling thunder,
Like the clashing of swords and the crashing of waves:
"To the Rhine! To the Rhine! To the German Rhine!
Who will protect its flow?"
Dear Fatherland, be calm - Dear Fatherland, be calm!
The Watch on the Rhine stands firm and true!
It streaks quickly through one hundred thousand,
And every eye flashes brightly,
The German, honest, upstanding and strong,
Protects the sacred border!
Dear Fatherland, be calm - Dear Fatherland, be calm!
The Watch on the Rhine stands firm and true!
1911 Ninth Ohio Reunion:
What roars so boldly up from the South?
Do you all hear the wrathful Horse of War
That through treason and rebellion
Would threaten the Union?
Remain calm, dear Fatherland,
We swear to you with heart and hand:
Solid as the sun high in the firmament
Stands every man of the Ninth Regiment!
From German lands, I came
As a poor wanderer over the ocean,
And you, my second Fatherland,
You helpfully extended me your hand!
Remain calm, as the German heart
Is true and fearless everywhere!
Everyone who knows us Germans
Of the Ninth Regiment knows that!