Kolping Schützenfest 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. 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!
Hohenfriedberger Marsch
Melody 1745 - Lyrics 1845 - Unknown
This march is another component of the Armeemarschsammlung. Commemorating the victory at the Battle of Hohenfriedberg, it held a special place in the hearts of those from the Middle and Upper Franconia regions of Bavaria. While there were relatively few members of the Ninth who emigrated from this area, from towns such as Bayreuth and Lichtenfels, there is no doubt this tune would have been popular in other regiments.
Fürsten zum Land hinaus! / Heil dir im Siegerkranz
Melody ~1744 (Unknown) - Lyrics 1790 - Heinrich Harries
This tune is known by many names, including God Save the King and Heil dir im Siegerkranz, which was the Prussian anthem in the 18th and 19th centuries. Given the revolutionary character of regiments such as the Ninth (and likely the 32nd Indiana and others), the version titled Fürsten zum Land hinaus would have been a popular standard. Sung in a round, the singers take satirical aim at the rulers of each of the major German states, often adding 16 or more verses to the song, some of which is translated below:
"Princes, get out!
Here comes the people’s feast!
Out, out, out, out!
First with the Viennese Hans,
Then the one “im Siegerkranz” (“in the victory wreath”, i.e., the Prussian king)
(with pushing motion) Push, push, push, push!
Wilhelm loves killing his people!
Now! Out of Prussia with him!
Beat that dog!"
...it is not until all verses are sung (and every potentate receives his comeuppance) that there is finally enough room to "plant the Tree of Freedom", aka, "der Freiheitsbaum."
Reveille! / La Marseillaise
1792 - Rouget de Lisle - Alternate lyrics ~1848
The French National Anthem sung by Germans? Absolutely!
A version of this song became very popular during the Revolutions of 1848/49, the lyrics even referencing the “old song”, and how the “new one” would be the song of a new generation - their revolution would succeed where the previous had not.
This song was played and sung as August Willich and his 32nd Indiana marched into battle at Shiloh.