Oktoberfest songs?

Subject: Oktoberfest songs?
From: meself
Date: 11 Oct 22 - 02:45 PM

I'm looking for one or two more songs for an acknowledgement of Oktoberfest at a seniors' facility - 'authenticity' is NOT a concern ... so, I've got The Happy Wanderer and I can have The Beer Barrel Polka ready in time. The only other German song I can think of is Lilli Marlene, which I don't imagine is appropriate to the occasion. The only German I know is from Hogan's Heroes, so I'm looking for well-known songs with English lyrics ... and drawing a blank. My bit of on-line research so far has only come up with recent Pop songs in English or German and older songs in German. Suggestions?

Subject: RE: Oktoberfest songs?
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Oct 22 - 05:23 PM

Beer Garden song:
Tomorrow Belongs to Me

from - Cabaret'
Music by John Kander
1966

Subject: RE: Oktoberfest songs?
From: Long Firm Freddie
Date: 12 Oct 22 - 07:24 AM

Muss I Denn; The German Clockwinder; Oom-Pah-Pah (from Oliver!); I am the Music Man

LFF

Subject: RE: Oktoberfest songs?
From: GUEST,Grishka
Date: 12 Oct 22 - 08:49 AM

For the records, note that the Beer Barrel Polka is as Czech as can be. Lyrics exist in many languages, but neither the Czech nor the German versions mention beer. This said, sing what your audience know and like.

Subject: RE: Oktoberfest songs?
From: GUEST,Grishka
Date: 12 Oct 22 - 08:57 AM

PS: I just read that a Ukrainian version of the Beer Barrel Polka starts with "Не вернуться роки мої молоді" – "The years of my youth won't come back". Suitable for a seniors' facility, but perhaps not for a cheerful occasion.

Subject: RE: Oktoberfest songs?
From: cnd
Date: 12 Oct 22 - 09:57 AM

If you don't mind instrumental songs, I picked up a random polka album at a thrift store a while back which contained a few fun "American" polka songs, including "COON DOG POLKA" (written by Kansan Rex Ulmer in 1976). Very fun, but instrumental, and I note you were asking for songs with English lyrics.

Not exactly well-known, or beer-related, so admittedly not the best Oktoberfest song, but it is alcohol related, and it is a fun one: the JACK DANIELS WALTZ. The album I got this from (Just For You Vol. 2 by Larry's Concertina Band, from Minnesota) didn't include an attribution, but some searching has shown it was probably written by a Jeffrey D. Talmadge in 1980 (entry PAu001383536 / 1990-06-21 at the US Copyright office); I believe this is the same Jeff Talmadge. Anyhow, below is my transcription of the lyrics from the Larry's Concertina Band recording; additionally, see the dots (page 1, page 2) from someone online; they sound pretty close (if basic) to me, though there are some symbols related to, I believe, concertina playing which are foreign to me which may elucidate something to the more well-read. If you like it, PM me and I'll send you a recording.

JACK DANIELS WALTZ
(Jeffrey D. Talmadge)

Well, it's time for just one drink, so, down the hatch it blows
I don't need no chaser, it's smooth past my tongue as it goes
Now my weakness is Jack Daniels, and he's been good to me
All I need is one little swallow just to keep me company
Now I don't care to be lonely so why don't you come along
Our Jack will keep us company til the bottle is all gone

Subject: RE: Oktoberfest songs?
From: meself
Date: 12 Oct 22 - 11:26 AM

Thanks for the suggestions, so far.

When I say 'German', I mean 'German' in the sense that Brigadoon is 'Scottish'; in other words, I'm just looking for one or two more upbeat songs that everyone of 'the older generation' knows and can sing along with, and that have some vague German association, however ersatz or far-fetched .....

Subject: RE: Oktoberfest songs?
From: saulgoldie
Date: 12 Oct 22 - 05:41 PM

I don't think "Tomorrow Belongs to Me" is celebratory. I would think that Oktoberfest songs should be on the happy side, no?

Subject: RE: Oktoberfest songs?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 12 Oct 22 - 06:01 PM

Well, that suggestion was from Gargoyle, Saul. He has "unusual" tastes...

Schnitzelbank might be a good one. Muss i denn? would be another. And how 'bout I am a Fine Musician/Ich bin ein Musikante?

Subject: RE: Oktoberfest songs?
From: meself
Date: 12 Oct 22 - 07:57 PM

Thanks I'll give those a listen.

Subject: RE: Oktoberfest songs?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 13 Oct 22 - 05:03 AM

I was told my song 'Rummenigge' was a schlager type song. I think it would work for the Oktoberfest. Its included in history of Bayern Munich boxset. A lot of German people know it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPOQbebv-J0

Subject: RE: Oktoberfest songs?
From: meself
Date: 14 Oct 22 - 07:47 PM

Thanks, Al!

Subject: RE: Oktoberfest songs?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 14 Oct 22 - 08:03 PM

Are you sure you want to do all English-language songs? I grew up in the Milwaukee area, and the songs we sang for Oktoberfest were all in German or macaronic (both English and German) - and people loved them. Maybe just a medley of German songs like Rosamunde (Beer Barrel Polka), Muss i denn, Schnitzelbank, Doktor Eisenbart, Das Wandern ist des Müllers Lust, Mein Vater War Ein Wandersmann (Happy Wanderer), Alt Heidelberg, du feine.

Subject: RE: Oktoberfest songs?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 14 Oct 22 - 09:30 PM

yes - wooden heart is a good idea.

The Irish drinking songs are quite well known over there.

Subject: RE: Oktoberfest songs?
From: meself
Date: 15 Oct 22 - 12:31 PM

Oh, I have no end of Irish drinking songs, but I wouldn't feel very Oktoberfesty singing them .... Not that I actually know anything about Oktoberfest ....

As for German-language songs - of course, those would be best, but I'm not up for the challenge, tbh. I'll brush up Beer Barrel Polka, I've got The Happy Wanderer, and I'll learn Wooden Heart, since when I gave it a listen on youtube, I realized I've already got the melody floating around in the back of my wooden head. Add a polka or two on fiddle, and that'll do the job. They're not expecting a full Oktoberfest program, just a tip of the hat - one of those funny little German hats with the feather in it - in the direction of the occasion.

Thanks, again!

Subject: RE: Oktoberfest songs?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 15 Oct 22 - 05:57 PM

Octoberfesty.....hmmm! Are you considering doing the whole Lederhosen like Mr Humphreys in Are You being Served?

I did a couple of gigs with Karl of Karl and the Heidelbergers - he seemed to a lot of country songs.

Subject: RE: Oktoberfest songs?
From: meself
Date: 17 Oct 22 - 12:44 AM

Lederhosen?? Ain't getting paid enough for that!