Erika (song)
Encyclopedia
Erika is a marching song of the German military. The song was composed by Herms Niel in the 1930s specifically for the Waffen-SS
, but it soon came into usage by the Wehrmacht
in general, especially the Heer
and, to a lesser extent, the Kriegsmarine
. The name "Erika" had been derived from the heather plant (German: Heide, Erika; Latin: Erica
). Vast heather-yards
are one of the proud symbols of German natural heritage. The song has also become traditional by the highly prussianized Chilean Army
.
Niel, who in early May 1933 joined the NSDAP and was among others became a "leading" Kapellmeister
at the Reichsarbeitdienst, created numerous marches that largely served the National Socialist propaganda campaigns. In particular the Reichpropagandaminister Joseph Goebbels
, as Berszinski writes, noticed early on that down-to-earth, simple songs were a useful propaganda tool. The more that the songs served as a departure from the hard reality into dreamful felicity and affected a sentimental love song idyll, the better the "true face of Nazi Germany" could be hidden behind the many soft minor-key notes. The close connection of National Socialism with the new technical mass media, especially film
and radio
, came to the contrary and swiftly ensured the popularity of the Nazi songs.
The military hits and marches were the "answer closer approaching war." In all about 15,000 National Socialist songs were produced between 1933 and 1945, as well as about one and a half million sheets of documents that alone were related to music.
The particular popularity of the song during World War II in Germany was now and then explained as resulting from its status among other popular songs with the names of girls that allowed soldiers of the Wehrmacht who had been drawn into battle to sing about girlfriends and wives they had left behind at home. The representation of the women ("Mägdelein") as a "waiting, devoted, loyal yet idolized woman" addressed the Nazis' propagandized cliche of the female's role as the "caring wife". Among soldiers, the lyrics were altered to include (more) direct sexual references.
Outside of Germany, the song was and is continued to be perceived as a typical part of the German treasury of songs and is indeed until this day mostly inseparably tied with the German Wehrmacht. For example, in 1983 for the ten-year anniversary of the junta in Chile, the song was a part of the repertoire of the marching band of a Chilean military battalion. An Afrikaans version of the song was the march of the South African Air Force Gymnasium until 1994. It was typically sung by conscripts at the end of basic training.
Waffen-SS
The Waffen-SS was a multi-ethnic and multi-national military force of the Third Reich. It constituted the armed wing of the Schutzstaffel or SS, an organ of the Nazi Party. The Waffen-SS saw action throughout World War II and grew from three regiments to over 38 divisions, and served alongside...
, but it soon came into usage by the Wehrmacht
Wehrmacht
The Wehrmacht – from , to defend and , the might/power) were the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany from 1935 to 1945. It consisted of the Heer , the Kriegsmarine and the Luftwaffe .-Origin and use of the term:...
in general, especially the Heer
Heer
Heer is German for "army". Generally, its use as "army" is not restricted to any particular country, so "das britische Heer" would mean "the British army".However, more specifically it can refer to:*An army of Germany:...
and, to a lesser extent, the Kriegsmarine
Kriegsmarine
The Kriegsmarine was the name of the German Navy during the Nazi regime . It superseded the Kaiserliche Marine of World War I and the post-war Reichsmarine. The Kriegsmarine was one of three official branches of the Wehrmacht, the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany.The Kriegsmarine grew rapidly...
. The name "Erika" had been derived from the heather plant (German: Heide, Erika; Latin: Erica
Erica
Erica ,the heaths or heathers, is a genus of approximately 860 species of flowering plants in the family Ericaceae. The English common names "heath" and "heather" are shared by some closely related genera of similar appearance....
). Vast heather-yards
Erica
Erica ,the heaths or heathers, is a genus of approximately 860 species of flowering plants in the family Ericaceae. The English common names "heath" and "heather" are shared by some closely related genera of similar appearance....
are one of the proud symbols of German natural heritage. The song has also become traditional by the highly prussianized Chilean Army
Chilean Army
The Chilean Army is the land arm of the Military of Chile. This 45,000-person army is organized into seven divisions, a special operations brigade and an air brigade....
.
Origins of the Song
The lyrics of the song were written by Niel, a German composer of marches. The exact year of the song's origin are not know; often the date is given as "about 1930," a date that, however, has not been substantiated. The song was originally published in 1938 by the publishing firm Louis Ortel in Großburgwedel. It was a great success even before the start of World War II.Niel, who in early May 1933 joined the NSDAP and was among others became a "leading" Kapellmeister
Kapellmeister
Kapellmeister is a German word designating a person in charge of music-making. The word is a compound, consisting of the roots Kapelle and Meister . The words Kapelle and Meister derive from the Latin: capella and magister...
at the Reichsarbeitdienst, created numerous marches that largely served the National Socialist propaganda campaigns. In particular the Reichpropagandaminister Joseph Goebbels
Joseph Goebbels
Paul Joseph Goebbels was a German politician and Reich Minister of Propaganda in Nazi Germany from 1933 to 1945. As one of Adolf Hitler's closest associates and most devout followers, he was known for his zealous oratory and anti-Semitism...
, as Berszinski writes, noticed early on that down-to-earth, simple songs were a useful propaganda tool. The more that the songs served as a departure from the hard reality into dreamful felicity and affected a sentimental love song idyll, the better the "true face of Nazi Germany" could be hidden behind the many soft minor-key notes. The close connection of National Socialism with the new technical mass media, especially film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
and radio
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
, came to the contrary and swiftly ensured the popularity of the Nazi songs.
The military hits and marches were the "answer closer approaching war." In all about 15,000 National Socialist songs were produced between 1933 and 1945, as well as about one and a half million sheets of documents that alone were related to music.
Meaning and reception
The popularization and central connection of the song with National Socialist propaganda is clarified, among others, by the autobiographical record of Gregor von Rezzori about the Nazi radio programs of April 1945: "The days went with radio announcements. Victorious withdrawals and defenses. On the heath a little flower bloomed, bumm bumm. Our submarines had again sank tens of thousands of gross registered tons. Then we were going, going against England." The song also played a role in numerous fictional texts that were concerned with Nazi Germany. A prominent example is Walter Kempowski's novel Heile Welt.The particular popularity of the song during World War II in Germany was now and then explained as resulting from its status among other popular songs with the names of girls that allowed soldiers of the Wehrmacht who had been drawn into battle to sing about girlfriends and wives they had left behind at home. The representation of the women ("Mägdelein") as a "waiting, devoted, loyal yet idolized woman" addressed the Nazis' propagandized cliche of the female's role as the "caring wife". Among soldiers, the lyrics were altered to include (more) direct sexual references.
Outside of Germany, the song was and is continued to be perceived as a typical part of the German treasury of songs and is indeed until this day mostly inseparably tied with the German Wehrmacht. For example, in 1983 for the ten-year anniversary of the junta in Chile, the song was a part of the repertoire of the marching band of a Chilean military battalion. An Afrikaans version of the song was the march of the South African Air Force Gymnasium until 1994. It was typically sung by conscripts at the end of basic training.
Lyrics and translation
ERIKA| German lyrics | Approximate translation |
|---|---|
| First stanza | |
Auf der Heide blüht ein kleines Blümelein und das heißt Erika. Heiß von hunderttausend kleinen Bienelein wird umschwärmt Erika denn ihr Herz ist voller Süßigkeit, zarter Duft entströmt dem Blütenkleid. Auf der Heide blüht ein kleines Blümelein und das heißt: Erika. |
On the heath a little flower blooms and it's called: Erika Erica Erica ,the heaths or heathers, is a genus of approximately 860 species of flowering plants in the family Ericaceae. The English common names "heath" and "heather" are shared by some closely related genera of similar appearance.... . Hot from a hundred thousand little bees that swarm over Erika because her heart is full of sweetness, her flowery dress gives off a delicate scent. On the heath a little flower blooms and it's called: Erika. |
| Second stanza | |
In der Heimat wohnt ein blondes Mägdelein und das heißt: Erika. Dieses Mädel ist mein treues Schätzelein und mein Glück, Erika. Wenn das Heidekraut rot-lila blüht, singe ich zum Gruß ihr dieses Lied. Auf der Heide blüht ein kleines Blümelein und das heißt: Erika. |
Back home lives a little blonde girl and she's called: Erika. This girl is my faithful little darling and my happiness, Erika. When the flower on the heath blooms red-lilac, I sing her this song in greeting. On the heath a little flower blooms and it's called: Erika. |
| Third stanza | |
In mein'm Kämmerlein blüht auch ein Blümelein und das heißt: Erika. Schon beim Morgengrau'n sowie beim Dämmerschein schaut's mich an, Erika. Und dann ist es mir, als spräch' es laut: "Denkst du auch an deine kleine Braut?" In der Heimat weint um dich ein Mädelein und das heißt: Erika. |
Another little flower blooms in my small room and it's called: Erika. Already in the first rays of the morning, as well as at dusk, it looks at me, Erika. And then it seems to me it speaks aloud: "Are you also thinking of your little bride?" Back home a little girl weeps for you and she's called Erika. |
See also
- Königgrätzer MarschKöniggrätzer MarschThe Königgrätzer Marsch is a famous German military march composed by Johann Gottfried Piefke after the Battle of Königgrätz, 1866, the decisive battle of the Austro-Prussian War, in which the Kingdom of Prussia defeated the Austrian Empire.It was one of Adolf Hitler's favorite marches and was...
- PanzerliedPanzerliedThe Panzerlied is one of the best known Wehrmacht songs. It was composed in June 1933 by Oberleutnant Kurt Wiehle while on his way to Königsbrück. Wiehle adapted a German sailor's song, writing lyrics more appropriate to the Panzerwaffe. At the time, Germany was clandestinely developing an armored...
- Es war ein EdelweissEs war ein EdelweissEs war ein Edelweiss is a march composed by Herms Niel in 1941 for the Wehrmacht Heer, the German Army land forces.- Lyrics and Translation :- See also :* Erika * Königgrätzer Marsch* Panzerlied...
- Der HohenfriedbergerDer HohenfriedbergerThe Hohenfriedberger , also called Hohenfriedberger March, is one of the best known German military marches...