Lyr Req: I Wish I Could Sprechen Sie Deutsch

Subject: LyrReq I wish I could Sprachen de Deutch
From: Carol
Date: 08 Dec 07 - 02:11 PM

My husband was in the Army in Germany in the 60s and says he would love to have all the words to this song which was very popular,at least with the squaddies, at the time.
As he's promised to sing it (it would be his debut as a singer!) could anyone please help me with any more words?
All we have is 'comen se here, knock ein beer , groser and kliner,and nicht ferschtain, I wish I could spreken de deutch'

Subject: RE: LyrReq I wish I could Sprachen de Deutch
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)
Date: 08 Dec 07 - 02:23 PM

Here's the first place I found them: http://www.lyricsandsongs.com/song/839228.html [I Wish I Could Sprechen Sie Deutsch]

Mick

Subject: RE: LyrReq I wish I could Sprachen de Deutch
From: Peace
Date: 08 Dec 07 - 02:24 PM

It was done by a group from/in Germany in the 1980s. They were called 'FSK'. Have not been able to find lyrics and it is not on Youtube.

The song title is "I Wish I Could Spreken Sie Deutsch".

Subject: RE: LyrReq I wish I could Sprachen de Deutch
From: Peace
Date: 08 Dec 07 - 02:26 PM

GOOD ONE MICK.

Subject: RE: LyrReq I wish I could Sprachen de Deutch
From: Peace
Date: 08 Dec 07 - 02:28 PM

Damn! My spelling was wrong. SORRY. Please ignore the 2:24 PM post.

Subject: RE: LyrReq I wish I could Sprachen de Deutch
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 08 Dec 07 - 02:47 PM

God dammit, I hate that site, every time I go near it, it tries to take over my PC, and tells me I need some sort of PC performance optimiser.
It's the only thing so far that gets round my Firefox Pop Up blocker.
Stupid site !!!

G

Subject: RE: LyrReq I wish I could Sprachen de Deutch
From: Newport Boy
Date: 08 Dec 07 - 03:02 PM

Agreed, Giok

It also carried a few viruses, disarmed by CA antivirus.

Phil

Subject: RE: LyrReq I wish I could Sprachen de Deutch
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)
Date: 08 Dec 07 - 03:33 PM

I had no problems with it; if there were any Norton dealt with them silently. Mind you I never accept ActiveX controls from sites (unless I really know and trust them!).

There are other sites with the words that you can check out; that was just the first that came up in my search (I used a bit better German than in Carol's request).


Mick

Subject: RE: LyrReq I wish I could Sprachen de Deutch
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)
Date: 08 Dec 07 - 03:37 PM

I should add that I'm always wary of lyric sites (except here of course!).

Mick

Subject: RE: LyrReq I wish I could Sprachen de Deutch
From: Carol
Date: 08 Dec 07 - 04:26 PM

Thanks everyone, especially Mick - my PC Cillin won't allow me to go on the site at all! Mick I'm PMing you
Thanks again Carol

Subject: RE: LyrReq I wish I could Sprachen de Deutch
From: Carol
Date: 08 Dec 07 - 05:51 PM

Thanks everyone I've given him the words so expect his debut performance in the Sun tomorrow!

Subject: ADD: I Wish I Could Sprechen Sie Deutsch
From: Joe Offer
Date: 08 Dec 07 - 05:59 PM

From Mick's link - http://www.lyricsandsongs.com/song/839228.html -
which seems to be one of those sites full of popups and porno...

I Wish I Could Sprechen Sie Deutsch
(Freiwillige Selbst-Kontrolle - Songwriter?)

I came in to Deutschland and what did I find
I couldn't speak a word that was said
When hearing the language I was so inclined
to hit a few words in my head
Oh you soon pick it up all my friends they did say
but here is the total I picked up to date

Danke Schön Bitte Schön
wiedersehen
noch ein bier
kommen sie hier
ein grosse
ein kleine
I nichts verstehen
I wish I could Sprechen Sie Deutsch

I met lots of Wolfgangs
but I couldn't speak a word
I might as well not had a voice
with your

Danke Schön Bitte Schön
wiedersehen
noch ein bier
kommen sie hier
ein grosse
ein kleine
I nichts verstehen
I wish I could Sprechen Sie Deutsch


I met with some GI's in Frankfurt last night
they were out on a spree that was plain
I followed them into a joint down in town
to famous to mention its name
Oh maybe I'm crazy or maybe I'm not
A night in jailhouse was all that I got

Danke Schön Bitte Schön
wiedersehen
noch ein bier
kommen sie hier
ein grosse
ein kleine
I nichts verstehen
I wish I could Sprechen Sie Deutsch

I must have said something that meant something else
the policemen just made me that choice

Danke Schön Bitte Schön
wiedersehen
noch ein bier
kommen sie hier
ein grosse
ein kleine
I nichts verstehen
I wish I could Sprechen Sie Deutsch

Danke Schön Bitte Schön
wiedersehen
noch ein bier
kommen sie hier
ein grosse
ein kleine
I nichts verstehen
I wish I could Sprechen Sie Deutsch

Danke Schön Bitte Schön
wiedersehen
noch ein bier
kommen sie hier
ein grosse
ein kleine
I nichts verstehen
I wish I could Sprechen Sie Deutsch

Subject: RE: LyrReq I wish I could Sprachen de Deutch
From: GUEST,Peace
Date: 08 Dec 07 - 06:05 PM

First the porno THEN the popup, Joe.

Subject: RE: LyrReq I wish I could Sprachen de Deutch
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)
Date: 08 Dec 07 - 06:09 PM

Strange - apart from declining an ActiveX control (as I always do) I didn't get anything odd from the site. I'm obviously deemed too other-worldly to be offered pop-up porn.

Mick

Subject: RE: LyrReq I wish I could Sprachen de Deutch
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 08 Dec 07 - 07:27 PM

There's a 30-second sound sample at the BBC Radio "Keeping It Peel" web site.

Subject: RE: LyrReq I wish I could Sprechen Sie Deutsch
From: Joe Offer
Date: 08 Dec 07 - 09:05 PM

And for a mere 89 cents, you can download an American twangy version here (click). I think I prefer the German version from Freiwillige Selbst-Kontrolle (FSK) that Jim linked to. I haven't found a download of that one, though.
My German tutoree-stepson found it "interesting."
-Joe-

[I clicked the wrong button and ended up downloading the whole damn American twangy album for $15.98...]

Subject: ADD: I Wish I Could Sprechen Sie Deutsch
From: Joe Offer
Date: 08 Dec 07 - 10:56 PM

I Wish I Could Sprechen Sie Deutsch
(Jones)

I came in to Deutschland and what did I find
I didn't know a word that was said
But speaking the language I was so inclined
To get a few words in my head;
Oh, you soon pick it up, all my buddies did say,
But here is the total I picked up today:

Danke Schön Bitte Schön
Wiedersehen
Noch ein bier
Kommen Sie hier
Grosser und kleiner und nichts verstehen
I wish I could Sprechen Sie Deutsch

I met lots of Fräuleins,
But I couldn't say a word
I might as well not have a voice
Danke Schön Bitte Schön
Wiedersehen
I wish I could Sprechen Sie Deutsch

I met with some GI's in Frankfurt one night,
They were out on a spree, it was plain.
I followed them into a bar down in town,
Too famous to mention its name.
Now, whether I'm crazy or whether I'm not,
A night in jailhouse was all that I got.

with my
Danke Schön Bitte Schön
Wiedersehen
Noch ein bier
Kommen Sie hier
Grosser und kleiner und nichts verstehen
I wish I could Sprechen Sie Deutsch

Well, I must have said something that meant something else,
The MP's just made me their choice.
Danke Schön Bitte Schön
Wiedersehen
I must learn to sprechen
I've got to get crackin'
I wish I could Sprechen Sie Deutsch


Transcribed by ear from Nashville Meets Germany, a 1969 album by The Drifters Caravan

Subject: RE: LyrReq I wish I could Sprechen Sie Deutsch
From: Ron Davies
Date: 09 Dec 07 - 09:25 AM

This one sounds like a classic. Can hardly wait to learn the melody. Thanks to all.

Subject: RE: LyrReq I wish I could Sprechen Sie Deutsch
From: Leadfingers
Date: 09 Dec 07 - 12:08 PM

Ah Memories ! I was in Germany with the R A F (The Real Air Force) in the early sixties and remember hearing the song then ! It was popular with the Brits too , not just the Yanks !!

Subject: RE: LyrReq I wish I could Sprechen Sie Deutsch
From: Carol
Date: 09 Dec 07 - 04:38 PM

Funny but Chris knows the second version that Joe's posted, perhaps that was the one that was most popular with the British! Anyone he says to say thanks to everyone for their help, he's over the moon with it!!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Wish I Could Sprechen Sie Deutsch
From: GUEST,Doug Frost
Date: 22 Jul 08 - 01:49 PM

No one seems to know about the Gus Leverkus version. I am told he was a GI and DJ in Germany and his version was played on BBC in the early 60/s
BBC have nothing on him, would still like to get a copy.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Wish I Could Sprechen Sie Deutsch
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Dec 08 - 10:15 AM

I remember that early 60's song which was played a lot on TWO WAY FAMILY FAVOURITES

It was a nice Country & Western song reminiscent of Hank Williams

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Wish I Could Sprechen Sie Deutsch
From: GUEST,Mike
Date: 03 May 09 - 11:06 AM

Hello all,

Yes, I was stationed in Bremen Germany 1961-1963 with the USAF and I too have been looking for the music.... Hoping to be able to down load it from the internet... Well I've found a western version and the link is --
http://www.translatum.gr/forum/index.php?topic=26998.0

But I believe that this is not the version that I would listen to...

I thought that it was a GI that sang it and this is the version that I'm looking for... IF anyone has this version, can you post it to Youtube so we can listen to it? Any help?

-- I found another link which is a down load of the song by Dave Dudley http://www.goldmaster40.orangehome.co.uk/29-04-2009(4)/ Cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Wish I Could Sprechen Sie Deutsch
From: GUEST,Ian S
Date: 01 May 10 - 06:16 PM

Look here for the link to download the FSK (John Peel session) version:

http://humppazoid.blogspot.com/search?q=peel

(320 kbps mp3s)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Wish I Could Sprechen Sie Deutsch
From: Weasel
Date: 02 May 10 - 05:07 AM

There are several versions of this song on Youtube now - do a Youtube search on:

"I wish I could sprechen sie deutsch"

Cheers,

Weasel

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Wish I Could Sprechen Sie Deutsch
From: alanabit
Date: 03 May 10 - 12:36 AM

I heard it in one of the BFG folk clubs back in the mid eighties. There was another line in it which ran something like: "I looked at the map but it would not impart/Where to look for that town by the name of Ausfahrt".
("Ausfahrt is the German word for exit...)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Wish I Could Sprechen Sie Deutsch
From: GUEST,Mike G
Date: 27 Jul 13 - 09:38 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=IAP0dKbdq14
This is the one my mom used to play all the time and I like it the best.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Wish I Could Sprechen Sie Deutsch
From: Ron Davies
Date: 28 Jul 13 - 08:15 AM

You have to really mangle the German to do this one right.   The worse your German is, the better.   The Germans who've recorded it speak German too well to my mind.

The Americans---now they really know how to mangle German. Especially throwing in American r's all over the place.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Wish I Could Sprechen Sie Deutsch
From: GUEST,JTT
Date: 28 Jul 13 - 09:30 AM

Here's the whole song, introduced by John Peel, on YouTube.