"Alte Kameraden" ("Old Comrades") is the title of a popular German military march.[1] It is included in the Armeemarschsammlung as HM II, 150.
"Alte Kameraden" | |
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March by Carl Teike | |
English | "Old Comrades" |
Catalogue | Armeemarschsammlung HM II, 150 |
Composed | 1889 (1889): Germany |
The march was written around 1889 in Ulm, Germany, by military music composer Carl Teike.[2] Teike wrote many pieces for the marching band of Grenadier-Regiment König Karl (5. Württembergisches) No. 123. When bringing his newly composed march to the regiment, the Kapellmeister Oelte simply told him: "We've got plenty enough of musical marches, put this one in the stove!"[2] This episode eventually led to Teike taking his leave of the band and naming the march as "Alte Kameraden". A publisher purchased the song from him for 25 German Goldmark.[3] In 1895, the Nowaweser Kapelle Fritz Köhler premiered the march.[3] Alte Kameraden later became one of the most popular marches in the world.[3] It was played in 1937 at the coronation ceremony for English King George VI.[3] The march can also be heard in the film Der blaue Engel.[3] Teike later worked as a police officer but also continued composing military marches.[3]
Due to its militaristic connotations, the march was banned in Germany after both World War I and World War II. According to one source, the march became popular among Finnish amateur photography clubs after "kameraden" was mistranslated to "cameramen" in Finnish.[4]
It is the official parade march for the Chilean Air Force's Non Commissioned Officers School ("Escuela de Especialidades Sargento 1.º Adolfo Menadier Rojas [es]").
Alte Kameraden auf dem Marsch durchs Land |
Old comrades on the march through the country |
Zur Attacke geht es Schlag auf Schlag, |
During the attack, things happen fast, |
Im Manöver zog das ganze Regiment |
During maneuvers, the whole regiment |
Lachen scherzen, lachen scherzen, heute ist ja heut' |
Laughing joking, laughing joking, today is today |
Alter Wein gibt Jugendkraft; |
Old wine gives the strength of youth, |
Ob in Freude, ob in Not, |
Whether in joy, whether in need, |
Sind wir alt, das Herz bleibt jung, |
Even if we are old, the heart stays young, |
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