music.wikisort.org - Composition

The "Westerwaldlied" (transl. "Westerwald Song") is a German folk song, written by Willi Münker in 1932, set to music by Joseph Neuhäuser in 1935, and published in 1937. An ode to the Westerwald region of Western Germany, it has been performed by the German military for many decades.^{[citation needed]}

"Westerwaldlied"
Song
Language	German
English title	"Westerwald Song"
Written	1932 (1932) (lyrics) 1935 (music)
Published	1937
Genre	Folk march
Composer(s)	Joseph Neuhäuser [de]
Lyricist(s)	Willi Münker

History

The song's lyrics were written by Willi Münker in November 1932. It was set to music by Joseph Neuhäuser in 1935, reportedly based on an old folk song. It was published and recorded for the first time in 1937. It is an ode to the Westerwald region of Western Germany. It was sung by the German military during World War II.[1][2]

The song for many decades was considered innocuous, enough to be performed by the contemporary German military.[3][4][5] However, in recent years the performance of "Westerwaldlied" has become somewhat contentious and controversial in Germany due to its association with the Nazi era,[6][1] with the German military reportedly ceasing performances of the song because of it in 2017.[1][7][8][9] Defenders of the song maintain that it is an apolitical folk song with an established history of innocuous usage.[1]

Usage elsewhere

A Spanish-language song based on the "Westerwaldlied"'s melody as composed by Neuhäuser is sung by the Chilean Army, where it is known as "Himno de la Sección".[10] It is also the inspiration for the South Korean patriotic song "Our Nation Forever", used by the South Korean military.[11] It appears in Rainer Werner Fassbinder's 1973 World on a Wire.

Lyrics

German	English translation
First verse
Heute wollen wir marschier'n Einen neuen Marsch probier'n 𝄆 In dem schönen Westerwald Ja da pfeift der Wind so kalt 𝄇	Today we want to march To try out a new march 𝄆 In the lovely Westerwald Yes, there the wind whistles so cold 𝄇
Chorus
Oh, Du schöner Westerwald (Eukalyptusbonbon) Über Deine Höhen pfeift der Wind so kalt Jedoch der kleinste Sonnenschein Dringt tief ins Herz hinein	Oh, you lovely Westerwald (Eukalyptusbonbon) Over your heights the wind whistles so cold However, the slightest sunshine Thrusts deep into the heart
Second verse
Und die Gretel und der Hans Gehn des Sonntags gern zum Tanz Weil das Tanzen Freude macht Und das Herz im Leibe lacht Wiederhole Refrain	And Gretel and Hans Gladly go dancing on Sunday Because dancing makes joy And the heart in the body laughs Repeat chorus
Third verse
Ist das Tanzen dann vorbei Gibt es meistens Keilerei Und dem Bursch, den das nicht freut, sagt man nach, er hat kein' Schneid Wiederhole Refrain	When the dancing is over There is mostly fighting And the lad whom that does not please Is accused of having no grit Repeat chorus
Fourth verse
Oh, Du schöner Westerwald Bist ja weit und breit bekannt Echte Menschen der Natur Von Falschheit keine Spur Wiederhole Refrain	Oh, you lovely Westerwald Are known far and wide True people of nature Of falsehood no trace Repeat chorus

References

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