WWII songs

Subject: Lyr Add: DER FUEHRER'S FACE
From: bseed(charleskratz)
Date: 25 Apr 99 - 07:12 PM

I just posted this song to another thread where a discussion of WWII songs--particularly the Horst Wessel Lied--was underway:

"Der Fuehrer's Face"
Words and music by Oliver Wallace, ©1942.
As recorded by Spike Jones and His City Slickers

Ven der fuehrer says ve iss der master race,
Ve heil! (spphhht) heil! (spphhht) right in der fuehrer's face.
Not to love der fuehrer iss a great disgrace,
So ve heil! (spphhht) heil! (spphhht) right in der fuehrer's face.

Ven Herr Goebbels says "Ve own der vorld and space,"
Ve heil! (spphhht) heil! (spphhht) right in Herr Goebbels' face.
Ven Herr Goering says, "Dey'll never bomb dis place,"
Ve heil! (spphhht) heil! (spphhht) right in Herr Goering's face.

Are ve not der supermen, Aryan pure supermen?
Ja, ve iss der supermen, super-duper supermen.
Iss dis Nazi land so good? vould you leave it if you could?
Ja, dis Nazi land is good. Ve vould leave it if ve could.

Ve bring der vorld new order;
Heil Hitler's vorld new order,
Every one of foreign race vill love der fuehrer's face,
Ven ve bring to der vorld disorder.

Ven der fuehrer says ve iss der master race,
Ve heil! (spphhht) heil! (spphhht) right in der fuehrer's face.
Not to love der fuehrer iss a great disgrace,
So ve heil! (spphhht) heil! (spphhht) right in der fuehrer's face.


It's from a Disney cartoon, with Donald Duck and others.

--seed

Subject: RE: WWII songs
From: lingolucky
Date: 26 Apr 99 - 12:05 AM

As a navy veteran of ww2, I remember fondly listening to Roy Acuff and his Smoky Mountain boys doing Smoke on the water (on the land and the sea when our army and navy overtake the enemy). Also, how about The Sinking of the Reuben James by Woody Guthrie. thanx.

Subject: RE: WWII songs
From: Ronn
Date: 26 Apr 99 - 01:10 AM

The Whole World Is Waiting For Sunrise,
All The Things You Are,
Hold Tight (I Want Some Seafood Mama),
Three Little Fishies,
Frenesi,
I'll Never Smile Again,
Polkadots and Moonbeams,
This Is the Army, Mister Jones,
God Bless The Child,
Take The "A" Train,
Java Jive,
I'll Remember April,
Jukebox Saturday Night,
Skylark,
Opus One,
Laura,
Give Me The Simple Life,
It Might As Well Be Spring,
One Meat Ball,
Baltimore Oriole,
Caledonia,
Tico-Tico,
Straighten Up and Fly Right,
It Could Happen To You,
Accentuate The Positive,
Trav'lin' Light,
You're Nobody Til Somebody Loves You,
I'll Be Home for Christmas,
Rose Ann Of Charing Cross,
and (of course) God Bless America
are all of the era.

Subject: RE: WWII songs
From: Tom May
Date: 26 Apr 99 - 02:12 PM

Which side of the Atlantic and what aspect of WWII? Remember servicemens' songs are quite different to civilian songs. It has been said that every war starts using the songs of the last war, my late father remembered "(Pack up your troubles in your old kit bag and) Smile, Smile, Smile" and "It's a Long, Long Way to Tipperary" in 1939, (as well, of course as "Colonel Bogey"), so you can still use a number of songs from the Great War. As for title suggestions , try "A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square", "White lillies", "Run, Rabbit, Run", "Kiss Me Goodnight, Sergeant-Major" or (if you feel mischevious) "The Second Front Song". If you can get your hands on a copy, try the book "Kiss Me Goodnight Sergeant Major" (NOT the Falklands one).

Good luck.

Tom

Subject: RE: WWII songs
From: Penny
Date: 26 Apr 99 - 06:18 PM

Bert, this thread was full of place names long before I put my pennyworth in. And does anyone know where Laffensplain is? It sounds a bit South African. Which would fit the Zulu, presumably Rorkes Drift references.

Subject: RE: WWII songs
From: Tom May
Date: 28 Apr 99 - 06:34 AM

One quick thought, I assumed that your concert was in English. If not (or for the sake of variety) why not throw in a couple of German songs just to see audience reaction, you already have Lili Marlene, why not add the "Panzerleid" (remember that scene in - I think - "Battle of the Bulge") or two Great War songs which still held favour, "Wacht am Rheine" or "Marineleid" ("Wir fahren gegen England") (My apologies if the spelling is incorrect, I have enough trouble in English, let alone German).

Good Luck

Tom

Subject: RE: WWII songs
From: Pete M
Date: 28 Apr 99 - 07:15 AM

One song which I don't think has been mentioned, I'm not sure if it originated in WW1 or 2, would be "Ich haben ein kameraden" (Apologies for any incorrect spelling/tense etc), I thought it might be in the DT but couldn't find it. Any chance of posting the lyrics Wolfgang? I was also going to mention "Wacht am Rheine", but Tom beat me to it.

Pete M

Subject: RE: WWII songs
From: Vixen
Date: 28 Apr 99 - 01:35 PM

D'CATS--

Again, a bazillion thanks for all the help! Tim and I are busily listening to recordings and compiling a set list. One big surprise is how many of these songs I know, but didn't know when they were written. We're aiming to learn an even dozen--we've got 6 weeks. What's cool about it all is that we just booked a retirement picnic gig 5 days after the Elderhostel gig, where I'm sure all of these songs will come in handy! As for questions about language--I'm going to stick to English for now. I've got enough to worry about hitting the right note at the right time and right volume without having to wonder if I'm pronouncing the words right. My voice box is my achilles heel right now--if I'm not careful, I might end up with athlete's mouth!

Anyway, I'll post our playlist when we get it finalized, and I'll post the response the Monday after the gig. Thanks again for all your help!

V

Subject: RE: WWII songs
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 28 Apr 99 - 04:26 PM

Pete M. I know I keep saying this, but if you look in DigiTrad for "kameraden", guess what you find.

Subject: RE: WWII songs
From:
Date: 28 Apr 99 - 08:25 PM

Reta and Pete M., I don't think either story is likely. Hitler's niece was called Geli (short for Angelika), and she shot herself, as far as is known. As for the prostitute story - see Dale's research of 21 April. I've read a piece by Leip himself where he says just this - that he was linked with both girls, couldn't decide between them and decided to put them both into the song when he wrote it.
Most Germans would still associate the song with Lale Andersen today, I suspect. There is a story that the song virtually saved her life. She fell out of favour with the Nazis for some reason, but they couldn't put her in a concentration camp because she was too well loved as the singer of this song.
Don't know when Marlene took the song up, but certainly not in The Blue Angel. That film was made about seven years before the song.
Pete M., 'Ich hatt einen Kameraden' and 'Die Wacht am Rhein' are much older than the century. They go back at least to the Franco-Prussian War of 1870/71, as far as I know. It seems the Nazis didn't use the former very much. Perhaps it was too elegiac and sad for their purpose. - Susanne

Subject: RE: WWII songs
From: DAni
Date: 28 Apr 99 - 09:55 PM

-seed, I've got 'em somewhere. Give me the weekend to listen to my (dusty) old WWII stuff and I'll write them down.

Dani

Subject: RE: WWII songs
From: Irish sergeant
Date: 22 Jun 00 - 07:56 PM

To whoever mentioned the 51st Highlanders Farewell to Sicily, It was indeed written by hamish Henderson and was performed by the Chad Mitchell Trio. As I remember, (I was rather young when I heard their version, perhaps 7 or 8 years old 1962-63)John Denver sang the lead.

Though I know this is a very late posting to the thread would be complete without mentioning the incredible Vera Lynn and two of her songs "Auf Wiedersehn, Sweetheart" and "From the Time You Say Goodbye." Both are truly splendid! regards Neil

Subject: RE: WWII songs
From: kendall
Date: 22 Jun 00 - 08:34 PM

Didn't have any luck with that link, how about
There's a Star Spangled Banner Waving Somewhere. Written during ww2 by a Mainer named Paul Roberts.
Rudolph was written in 1949 to be exact.

Subject: RE: WWII songs
From: Mrrzy
Date: 22 Jun 00 - 10:02 PM

Auprès de ma blonde - WWI or WWII?

Subject: RE: WWII songs
From: GUEST,Banjo Johnny
Date: 23 Jun 00 - 01:52 AM

Looks like about 12 hrs of material there! I'm keeping the lists in case I do a show like that. If I do, however, I would omit the German songs so as to avoid offense. "Lili Marlene" did become popular in the UK and later among the other Allies. My own favorite is "A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square" - for the melody rather than for the words. (Americans note: it's pronounced Barcl'y.) == Johnny in Oklahoma City

Subject: RE: WWII songs
From: pastorpest
Date: 23 Jun 00 - 07:55 AM

Find a copy of "Songs from the Front and Rear: Canadian Servicemen's Songs of the Second World War" by Anthony Hopkins, Hurtig Publishers, Edmonton, 1979, ISBN 0-88830-172-3 bd or ISBN 0-88830-171-5 pa. There is excellent material there: melody lines, suggested chords and good notes about context. Mind you, you will have to edit out a lot of XXX rated material.

Subject: RE: WWII songs
From: Sailor Dan
Date: 23 Jun 00 - 08:07 AM

Darn it, the part about this thread that hurts is I remember 90% of the songs and most of the words. One song that I didn't see mentioned was American Patrol and another one was Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition. and thats my two cents worth.

Dan

Subject: RE: WWII songs
From: Billy the Bus
Date: 23 Jun 00 - 08:31 AM

Wheww....

The thing's that happen at Mudcat when you're offline for a couple of days. Much-Catch-Up to be done. Most of my non-Kiwi-specific song suggestions were shot down in the first few posts.

Tom - your "Kiss Me Goodnight Sergeant Major" reference must be to the Martin Page book of 1973 - I've dug out my 1975 Panther virgin - and will have to get the scanner going to salvage it - the pages are as brown as Tatton Park recruits under-dungers.....;)

Anyway, "fem-fox" (Vixen) you'll find the lyrics for many WWII "pop" songs at Hit songs from 30-90s.

NZ had a bit of a hit with "Now is the Hour" Bing Crosby had his last "Top of the Pops" with it in 1949.

Best version I can find is on Jenny George's pages at Haere Ra

Best I can do from "down-udder"

Cheers - Sam

Subject: RE: WWII songs
From: The Walrus at work
Date: 23 Jun 00 - 08:50 AM

Mrrzy ,

>Auprès de ma blonde - WWI or WWII?

I think that you'll find that it's more like Seven Years War ("French & Indian Wars" over the pond).

Regards

Tom

Subject: RE: WWII songs
From: Vixen
Date: 23 Jun 00 - 08:51 AM

D'Cats--

Wow! Was I surprised to find this thread at the top of the list. I thought I had posted the set list from this gig, but I don't see it here. Maybe I posted it to another thread. Anyway, (as far as I can recall) we played:

Teddy Bears' Picnic
(Blue Birds Over) The White Cliffs of Dover
Accentuate the Positive
Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree (with Anyone Else But Me)
Swinging on a Star

and two or three others that escape me right now...

We filled in the gaps with timeless sing-along songs. (e.g. Suwanee River, You Are My Sunshine, etc) Overall, it was a rousing success.

This year, the theme was the 1960s, and we had so much material we had a hard time sorting through it all. Next year, the theme is the American Civil War, but I'll start another thread asking for those songs, so don't post Civil War titles here please!

Thank you all again!

V

Subject: RE: WWII songs
From: SINSULL
Date: 23 Jun 00 - 08:54 AM

"How Ya Gonna Keep 'Em Down On The Farm (After They've Seen Paree)?"

"Now Is The Hour" is my favorite. Thanks, Billy.

Subject: RE: WWII songs
From: SINSULL
Date: 23 Jun 00 - 09:11 AM

This thought may be too late for your event but....
A few years ago we did a World War II theme afternoon with a mock radio show . The announcer did war bulletins amid Andrew Sisters type songs and radio ads with jingles and show theme songs.

It ended with the anthems from each military group with veterans invited to stand while their Corp was honored. Audience loved it. And the food included red white and blue Jello decorated with flags along with Spam.

Sometimes hokey works.

Subject: RE: WWII songs
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 23 Jun 00 - 12:12 PM

And there's those never-to-be-forgotten classics:

Goodbye, Mama (I'm off to Yokohama)
They Started Somethin' (but we're gonna end it)
Heil! Heil! Right in Der Fuehrer's Face!

and in a more conventional mood:
The House I Live In
Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition.

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: WWII songs
From: Bill D
Date: 23 Jun 00 - 03:02 PM

...and the ever popular...

"I'm a Cranky Old Yank in a Clanky Old Tank on the Streets of Yokohama with My Honolulu Mama Doin' Those Beat-o, Beat-o Flat-On-My-Seat-o, Hirohito Blues."

......Hoagy Carmichael..1942

and here is the definitive list of WW2 songs but evidently you have to go to Rochester to see them.

Subject: RE: WWII songs
From: DougR
Date: 23 Jun 00 - 11:14 PM

Ferrara: The song you posted was a popular Bob Will's hit, "When the Yanks Raised the Stars and Stripes on Iwo Jima Isle." Tommy Duncan was the vocalist, of course, and it was very popular (in Country circles) after the battle of Iwo Jima.

Apologies if this was cleared up in other threads. Haven't read them all.

I agree that WW2 did produce some great songs.

DougR

Subject: RE: WWII songs
From: simon-pierre
Date: 23 Jun 00 - 11:33 PM

Yep, Mrrzy, Tom is right, Aristide Bruant sang "Auprès de ma blonde" before WWI.

Subject: Lyr Add: I'LL HOLD YOU IN MY HEART (TILL I CAN...)
From: toadfrog
Date: 23 May 01 - 11:36 PM

Ferrara:
That is one of the very best WWII songs, I can remember this much:


I'LL HOLD YOU IN MY HEART (TILL I CAN HOLD YOU IN MY ARMS)
Words and music by Eddy Arnold, Hal Horton and Tommy Dilbeck, ©1947.
As sung by Eddy Arnold.

I'll hold you in my heart
Till I can hold you in my arms,
Like you've never been held before.
I'll think of you each day,
And then I'll dream the night away,
Till you are in my arms once more.

The stars up in the sky,
Know the reason why,
I feel so blue,
When I'm away from you.

I'll hold you in my heart,
Till I can hold you in my arms,
So darlin', please wait for me!


I think Kitty Wells sang that more recently than the war. But it is hard to imagine anything that intense ever becoming popular again. Not without another World war.

Subject: RE: WWII songs
From: DougR
Date: 23 May 01 - 11:50 PM

Toadfrog: I don't recall that song coming along until after WW2. I believe Eddy Arnold had the hit, though I'm sure others recorded it. I associate it more with the very late 40's or early Fifties, but I certainly could be wrong.

Subject: RE: WWII songs
From: Big Red
Date: 23 May 01 - 11:54 PM

Although not "popular" at the time, WWII vets always react positively to THE SINKING OF THE REUBEN JAMES by Woody Guthrie.

Subject: RE: WWII songs
From: toadfrog
Date: 24 May 01 - 01:31 AM

Doug R.
A google search suggests that you are correct. There is a "discogrophy" out there somewhere saying "(c) 1947, lyrics by T. Dilbeck." My memory gets very fuzzy back that far. Eddy Arnold does get prominent mentions out there. I had not been familiar with him.

Wow! There are actual references to "Shotgun boogie" out there! Remember that one? I was real sure I had heard the last of that.

. Well, I met a little gal and she was tall and thin
Asked her what you got, she said a box fulla tin!
I looked her up and down, said boy, this is love!
So I headed for the brush to get a big fat dove!

Shotgun boogie! (Blam, Blam!)
Boy the feathers flew!
Look out, mister dove, when I draw a bead on you!

Subject: RE: WWII songs
From: DougR
Date: 24 May 01 - 01:54 AM

Yep, Toadfrog, I do remember it.

Subject: RE: WWII songs
From: GUEST,Allan S,
Date: 24 May 01 - 02:14 AM

What about the song "The Ballad of Rodger Young" Don't remember all the words but---- Rodger Young Rodger Young fought and died with the men he marched among. in the everlasting glory of the Solomons lived the man Rodger Young

Gin and Lime juice at 2AM doesn't help the memory

Subject: RE: WWII songs
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 24 May 01 - 03:53 AM

Is Normandy Orchards by Keith Marsden a WWII song? Sounds like it but perhaps John O'Hagen or Graham Pirt of this forum would know best? It's a lovely song anyway.

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: WWII songs
From: DougR
Date: 24 May 01 - 01:19 PM

I don't recall that song being popular during WWII, Dave.

DougR

Subject: Lyr Add: PASSIVE RESISTANCE
From: Charley Noble
Date: 24 May 01 - 07:56 PM

This is an unusal song an old friend found in the GET ON BOARD Collection of Folk Songs edited by Beatrice Landeck and published by Edward B. Marks Music Corp. in 1944; the song is unusual in terms of being a protest song, and for being written by a young Richard Dyer-Bennet.

PASSIVE RESISTANCE
(Words and music by Richard Dyer-Bennet © 1942)

This is a story of passive resistance,
Of a man who refused to give Nazis assistance;
A farmer there lived in occupied Norway
Who found a grim warning tacked on to his doorway,
It read: "You have failed to come up to your quota;
Next week if you fail by a single iota,
Your farm will be taken and you will be killed.
This is the law and must be fulfilled."

The farmer replied: "Sirs, the undersigned begs
To inform you concerning my quota of eggs,
I posted the warning right where the hens live,
But the stubborn old bipeds still failed to give
So I wrung all their necks, the foul saboteurs.
Delighted to serve you, sincerely yours."

Subject: Lyr Add: ROLL ME OVER^^
From: toadfrog
Date: 24 May 01 - 11:50 PM

Allen S: "Rodger Young" is on the DT, and you can find it easily without even a clickie. It is masquerading as a folk song; actually written by Frank Loesser, of Tin Pan Alley Fame (Tin Pan Alley gave us some great songs!)

What I actually miss on DT is the following genuine WWII folksong. A song honored by a mention in Stan Hugill's book. It is all over the web, including the following scholarly site, which identifies the author as "Anonymous."

ROLL ME OVER

Traditional

This is number one,
And the fun has just begun,

Roll me over, lay me down and do it again! (Do it again!)
Roll me over, Yankee soldier,
Roll me over, lay me down and do it again.

This is number two,
And my hand is on her shoe.

This is number three
And my hand is on her knee.

This is number four
And I've got her on the floor.

This is number five
And I'm glad that I'm alive.

This is number six
And I've got her in a fix.

This is number seven,
And I feel like I'm in Heaven.

This is number eight,
And the doctor's at the gate.

This is number nine,
And the twins are doing fine.

This is number ten,
Let's go back and do it again.

Charles McCabe called this the "Battle Hymn of the Republic of the Second World War." But people are always too embarassed to sing it, or else they add dumb cutsy lyrics which no soldier ever sang. But this is not just another "dirty song": It has a powerfultune, and millionsof British and American, and Canadian, and yes! maybe Austrialian soldiers sang it!

Subject: RE: WWII songs
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 25 May 01 - 11:17 AM

I'm disappointed! I think nobody's mentioned They Started Something, But We're Gonna End It, Right in Their Own Back Yard!" and Goodbye, Mama (I'm off to Yokohama)

Yours in the pursuit of musical excellence,

Dave Oesterrreich

Subject: RE: WWII songs
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 25 May 01 - 05:16 PM

Ahhhhh - thanks Doug. I should have said about WW11 - or was that irony? Never mind eh. Thanks anyway - either for the correction or for the laugh:-)

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: WWII songs
From: Wilfried Schaum
Date: 21 Jun 01 - 10:43 AM

Hi Reta,

your story about the origin of Lili Marleen is definitely wrong. The lyrics were written in 1915 by Hans Leip when serving his time with the Fusilier Guards in Berlin (Look up the end of Lili Marleen in the Digitrad Database). Published the lyrics were in 1935 in "Die kleine Hafenorgel" (The little Port Organ), a collection of Leip's poems. Although of WW I origin, the song was made popular in WW II by the German Forces Network in Belgrad, when lacking a more popular song the military DJ played the B-side of a disc with a better known hit on it. Nobody could imagine at first what a hit they had landed. I think only a soldier parted from his true love, and remembering her in the dark hours can understand this song best, and the tune fitting the lyrics so well touches the heart of all soldiers, friend and foe.

Wilfried

Subject: RE: WWII songs
From: GUEST,argenine
Date: 03 Sep 01 - 05:04 AM

If you are singing armed forces songs, don't forget the oldest branch--the Coast Guard. Their song is "Semper Paratus" (Always Prepared).

Subject: RE: WWII songs
From: GUEST,argenine
Date: 03 Sep 01 - 06:02 AM

I know this is a very old thread, but I looked into it because I do several Veterans' Day programs each year, and I am always looking to expand my playlist. While I have the thread open, I might as well add to it.

Some WWII and WWII era popular songs that haven't been mentioned are:

God Bless America --- Irving Berlin wrote it it WWI but did not publish or release it until 1938, when Kate Smith sang it on Armistice Day. It was so popular in WWII that there was a movement to make it the national anthem -- until Berlin nixed the idea of replacing the one we already had.

Sentimental Journey -- it launched Doris Day's career in 1945

Now Is The Hour - a Maori song from New Zealand. The Allied troops learned it, took it to Hawaii, where the English-lyric version became popular.

This Is the Army, Mister Jones - Irving Berlin
A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square
Marie
In Apple Blossom Time
Red Sails In The Sunset
Harbor Lights
Tie A Yellow Ribbon 'Round The Old Oak Tree
(Right In) Der Fuehrer's Face
There's A Star Spangled Banner Waving Somewhere
They're Either Too Young Or Too Old

Oh, How I Hate To Get Up In The Morning! -- Berlin wrote it in WWI --right after he got drafted!-- but he also sang it in a review for the troops in WWII.

Don't Get Around Much Anymore

Theses have been mentioned before but deserve a second mention:

Praise The Lord And Pass The Ammunition
Comin' In On A Wing And A Prayer
Beer Barrel Polka
Lili Marlene
Amapola
We'll Meet Again
When The Lights Go On Again (All Over The World)
Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy (recorded a few years after WWII, but related)

String of Pearls

P.S., My record of Dietrich singing "Lili Marlene," is an album called "Wiedersehen Mit Marlene," recorded live when she returned to Germany after a 20-year self-imposed exile (because of Hitler). It was recorded, I think, sometime around 1960.

I don't know if that was her first recording of it, but it's very special.

(Also, though I only took one semester of German, my understanding of the German lyrics tells me that she is a girlfriend, not a prostitute. If she is a prostitute, he sure is hung up on her!)

Subject: RE: WWII songs
From: GUEST,genie
Date: 03 Sep 01 - 06:38 AM

Woody Guthrie, of course, made several contributions to WWII songs, although they weren't as popular as many of the ones mentioned above.

His main contribution, of course, was his answer to Irving Berlin's "God Bless America" -- This Land Is Your Land. He also had a song about Fascists not being welcome. Something like, "We Don't Need No Fascists." (That's not it, but it's something like that.) "The Sinking Of the Reuben James," and "Round and Round Hitler's Grave" have already been mentioned.

But he, apparently, added WWII related verses to some of his existing songs while Hitler was in power. For instance, in the song, "The Biggest Thing That Man Has Ever Done (The Great Historical Bum)," he sang this verse:

"There's a man across the ocean, I think ya know him well, His name is Adolf Hitler, we'll blow his soul to Hell, We'll kick him in the panzers and put him on the run, And that'll be the biggest thing that man has ever done."

He also wrote a song called "Miss Pavilchenko," about a Russian spy in WWII.

Subject: RE: WWII songs
From: Skipper Jack
Date: 03 Sep 01 - 03:58 PM

I remember one of those "Errol Flynn" type war films where the rest of his platoon was surplus to requirements!!

One of the songs started with the line: From the Halls of Montezuma, to the shores of Tripoli.."

I, as a war orphan in London during the blitz was invited along with many others to a party thrown by the US Army stationed there.

We were warned not to sing, "I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy.." as it was considered politically incorrect. Not that I knew what that at the time!

So that's another WW11 Song.

Has anyone mentioned, "Bless 'Em All"?

Subject: RE: WWII songs
From: Skipper Jack
Date: 03 Sep 01 - 04:11 PM

I don't what happened to my last thread?? It seems that a chunk of it didn't print out.

Back to the Errol Flynn film where he won the war single handed!!

The song started with the line: "From the Halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli."

As a war orphan in London during the blitz, The US army threw a party for a whole gang of kids like me. We were warned not to sing, "Yankee Doodle Dandy" It was considered politically incorrect - not that I knew what that meant at the time!

Has any one mentioned "Bless 'Em All"?

Do you remember Bud Flanagan & Chesney Allen and their song "Who Do You Think You are Kidding Mister Hitler?"

It was of course the theme music to "Dad's Army."

Subject: RE: WWII songs
From: The Walrus
Date: 03 Sep 01 - 05:35 PM

Skipper,

> Do you remember Bud Flanagan & Chesney Allen and their > song "Who Do You Think You are Kidding Mister Hitler?" > >It was of course the theme music to "Dad's Army."

I think that you'll find that song is Bud Flanagan only (Chesney Allen was dead by the time it was recorded IIRC) IIRC "Who Do You Think...." Was actually written for "Dad's Army" in the 1960s.

Regards

Walrus

Subject: RE: WWII songs
From: Gareth
Date: 03 Sep 01 - 07:00 PM

I fear there is a whole load of folk song lost, or misparked in the memories of veterans. As a kid in the 50's I can recall sheltering with my mother, and other mums and kids in the clubhouse kitchen of a certain Kentish Rugby Club, on Saturday Night whilst the singing went on. Yes I learnt some songs that got me a clip round the ear, when I repeated them.

They weren't just the bawdy, the A25 Song was one of them.

I was pleased to find that in the in Mudcat,

Mother's attitude, and that of the other wives was simple (This being in the mid 50's) They survived, they are entitled to sing.

The man we all called Uncle Tony, who taught me a cleaned up version of the A 25 Song, survived 3 years of flying Swordfish (String bags) including the sorties on the "Bismarck" from HMS "Victorious".

It was only later that I realised what that meant.

Some months ago I started this thread Click Here Now this may sound funny but I think we all have a duty to record and collect these songs before, and I quote Ralph McTell, " Memories fade, like the Medal ribbons that he wore "

Gareth

Subject: RE: WWII songs
From: GUEST,genie
Date: 03 Sep 01 - 10:55 PM

"I'll Walk Alone" was also an immensely popular hit for Frank Sinatra as a teenage idol.

Subject: RE: WWII songs
From: GUEST,genie
Date: 03 Sep 01 - 11:04 PM

A couple of folks mentioned "Aupres De Ma Blonde." This song does go back to before 1900 and its setting is, per the lyrics, some war between Holland and France. But it was a standard marching song for the Doughboys in World War I.

Subject: RE: WWII songs
From: GUEST,Alta Rigo
Date: 03 Sep 01 - 11:11 PM

Most of the songs mentioned above are in English, but there is a great folk song that I think was popular in that era, "Die Gedanken Sind Frei." I think the Weavers may have sung it, and it it is in Rise Up Singing.

It has great lyrics both in German and in English.

Also, the Weavers' "Wasn't That A Time" (although Pete Seeger said on PBS today that the song was considered by many to be too "red" to be played on the radio a lot).

I'm also wondering about the Johnny Horton song, "Sink the Bismarck." When was it written and was it popular before the Horton version? (It's tune is pretty much the same as Woody Guthrie's "The Biggest Thing That Man Has Ever Done."

Subject: RE: WWII songs
From: GUEST,Boab
Date: 04 Sep 01 - 01:29 AM

Hey---thanx for the Hutsut song! ---I can remember singing that one in '47!

Have the "D-day Dodgers" had a mention?

Some of the gems brought home by the Desert Rats have stayed in my memory over the years--- "Bury me out in the Desert" 'Bury me out in the desert Under a Libyan sun Bury me out in the desert-- My duty for Blighty is done And when you get back to old Glasgow [Newcastle-Cardiff-belfast---etc......] Back to old Blighty once more, Remember the boys in the desert, Who'll never see Blighty no more."

A pawky parody of the Egyptian National anthem of the time was well known and sung by the "Rats". It begins 'Up yer pipe, King Farouk, Hang yer bollocks from a hook"---and gets quickly more impertinent from then on! Boab