Wenn Die Soldaten - German Folk Song

Описание: “Wenn die Soldaten” (When the Soldiers March Through the Town) is a traditional German folk and soldiers’ song from the 19th century.
• Origin: The text and melody trace back to around 1839–1840, inspired by a vaudeville play (Die Seeräuber) performed in Breslau. It spread widely in southern Germany by the late 19th century and was included in the famous folk song collection Zupfgeigenhansl (1908).
• Character: A Volkslied (folk song) with a playful, ironic tone. It describes how young women open their windows and doors when soldiers march through town, supposedly charmed by their uniforms and music.
• Lyrics theme: Each verse humorously asks “Ei warum? Ei darum!” (“Oh why? Oh that’s why!”), with the refrain imitating the sound of marching music (Tschingderassa, bumm!).
• Patriotic role: While not an official anthem or march, it reflects the popular image of soldiers in everyday life, mixing admiration with satire.
• Legacy: The song was performed by artists such as Claire Waldoff and Marlene Dietrich, keeping it alive as part of German cabaret and folk tradition.
👉 In short: “Wenn die Soldaten” is a 19th‑century German folk and soldiers’ song, lighthearted and ironic, portraying the charm of marching soldiers and the playful reactions of townsfolk.