German WW1 Humor for those understanding German language

[egbert]

Here is a link to the Flemish Great War forum with a scanned book from 1916 on brilliant German humor. You need to be able to understand German language though , but I promise it is superb! Mick, Jack, Ralph and the like......

Scroll down to "Mein Hauptquartier", post# Posted: 14 Aug 2013 18:13

[Dragon]

Interesting. I often come across postcards of pictures like these. I bet many vendors have no idea what they mean when they write their descriptions. I can't read German and I don't buy cards I don't understand, but people must make some cringeworthy mistakes.

Gwyn

[martin_sole]

Not easy either when it's written in Fraktur

Schon lange bin ich mit frohem Mute

Ich im französischen Revier

Auf einem alten Klostergute

Hab' ich z.Zt. mein Hauptquartier

Vor kurzem noch sah ich mitunter

Ein festes Dach nur nachts im Traum

Jetzt habe wir's und schlafen darunter

zu 30 Mann in einem Raum

Das Herrenhaus giebt seine Diele

zu diesem gute Zwed'e her

im kriegerisch-modernen Stile

Wirkt sehr intim das "Interieur"

For some time now, and in very good cheer,

I've been in French territory

In an old monastary,

which is at present our HQ

Until recently I only saw

a secure roof at night in my dreams.

But now we have one and sleep under it,

30 men in one room.

The mansion gives its accommodation

to this good platoon (?)

In military-modern style

the interior is very intimate

have to say, it loses a bit in translation

[egbert]

have to say, it loses a bit in translation

You cannot just translate it 1:1 like an essay, only the exact rhymes and special idioms make it hilarious.

[martin_sole]

Yes, you lose the rhyme that's part of the humour. it's why I gave up after three stanzas.

what's "Zwed'e" btw?

[Jack Sheldon]

_{What fun. I must say that the 'poet' could get a job any time writing rhyming couplets for British pantomimes. The rhyme scheme is identical.Jack}

[egbert]

Yes, you lose the rhyme that's part of the humour. it's why I gave up after three stanzas.

what's "Zwed'e" btw?

It is "Zwecke" from "der Zweck" Martin

[martin_sole]

D'Oh! Blimmin' Fraktur

my aunt still writes in a form of Suetterlin, which just looks like someone testing a new biro - lines of sawtooth squiggles. I have cards from her and no idea what she's written.

[IanA]

on brilliant German humor

Nope. you've lost me. Even if I substitute 'humour' it still doesn't make sense.

[martin_sole]

German humour is no laughing matter

[IanA]

Ich steh mit einem Fuß im Grabe...