Sie war 44 und ich war 13 einhalb lyrics

"Erika" is a marching song used by the German military. The song was composed by Herms Niel in the 1930s, and it soon came into usage by the Wehrmacht, especially the Heer. No other marching song during World War II reached the popularity of Erika.

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Origins[edit]
Music[edit]
Lyrics[edit]
References[edit]
External links[edit]

Origins[edit]

"Erika" is both a common German female name and the German word for heather. The lyrics and melody of the song were written by Herms Niel, a German composer of marches. The exact year of the song's origin is not known; often the date is given as "about 1930",[1] a date that, however, has not been substantiated. The song was originally published in 1938 by the publishing firm Louis Oertel in Großburgwedel. It had been popular prior to the start of World War II.[2] The song encourages hard work, and according to Michael Tillotson, no other marching song during World War II reached the popularity of Erika.[3] It was extensively played at large political events.[4]

Music[edit]

The song begins with the line "Auf der Heide blüht ein kleines Blümelein" (On the Heath a Little Flower Blooms), the theme of a flower (Erika) bearing a soldier's sweetheart's name.[3] After each line, and after each time the name "Erika" is sung, there is a three beat pause, which is filled by the kettledrum or stomping feet (e.g. of marching soldiers), shown as (xxx) in the text below.

Lyrics[edit]

Auf der Heide blüht ein kleines Blümelein (xxx)
und das heißt (xxx) Erika. (xxx)
Heiß von hunderttausend kleinen Bienelein (xxx)
wird umschwärmt (xxx) Erika (xxx)
denn ihr Herz ist voller Süßigkeit, (xxx)
zarter Duft entströmt dem Blütenkleid. (xxx)
Auf der Heide blüht ein kleines Blümelein (xxx)
und das heißt: (xxx) Erika. (xxx)

In der Heimat wohnt ein kleines Mägdelein (xxx)
und das heißt (xxx) Erika. (xxx)
Dieses Mädel ist mein treues Schätzelein (xxx)
und mein Glück, (xxx) Erika. (xxx)
Wenn das Heidekraut rot-lila blüht,(xxx)
singe ich zum Gruß ihr dieses Lied. (xxx)
Auf der Heide blüht ein kleines Blümelein (xxx)
und das heißt: (xxx) Erika. (xxx)

In mein'm Kämmerlein blüht auch ein Blümelein (xxx)
und das heißt (xxx) Erika. (xxx)
Schon beim Morgengrau'n sowie beim Dämmerschein (xxx)
schaut's mich an, (xxx) Erika. (xxx)
Und dann ist es mir, als spräch' es laut:
"Denkst du auch an deine kleine Braut?"
In der Heimat weint um dich ein Mägdelein (xxx)
und das heißt (xxx) Erika. [5]

On the heath, there blooms a little flower (xxx)
and it's called (xxx) Erika. (xxx)
Eagerly a hundred thousand little bees, (xxx)
swarm around (xxx) Erika. (xxx)
For her heart is full of sweetness, (xxx)
a tender scent escapes her blossom-gown. (xxx)
On the heath, there blooms a little flower (xxx)
and it's called (xxx) Erika. (xxx)

Back at home, there lives a little maiden
and she's called Erika.
That girl is my faithful little darling
and my joy, Erika!
When the heather blooms in a reddish purple,
I sing her this song in greeting.
On the heath, there blooms a little flower
and she's called Erika.

In my room, there also blooms a little flower
and she's called Erika.
Already In the grey of dawn, as it does at dusk,
It looks at me, Erika!
And then it's to me as if it's saying aloud:
"Are you thinking of your little bride?"
Back at home, a maiden weeps for you
and she's called Erika.

References[edit]

^ "Als ich gestern einsam ging ..." by Leonore Böhm, Der neue Tag (Weiden in der Oberpfalz) (Grafenwöhr), 17 October 2008. Retrieved 18 October 2014. (archived, (Seite 4 [page 4])) (in German)
^ Berszinski, Sabine (2000). Modernisierung im Nationalsozialismus? : Eine soziologische Kategorie und Entwicklungen im deutschen Schlager 1933–45 [Modernization under National Socialism? : A Sociological Category and Developments in German popular music 1933–45] (magister thesis) (in German). Institut für Soziologie, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg. p. 54.
^ a b Tillotson, Michael (2016-10-03). "Songs soldiers sang in the face of battle". The Times. London. p. 81.
^ Oliver Seibt; Martin Ringsmut; David-Emil Wickström (2020). Made in Germany: Studies in Popular Music. Abingdon: Routledge. pp. 44–45. ISBN 978-1-351-20079-0.
^ "Auf der Heide blüht ein kleines Blümelein (Erika)", volksliederarchiv.de