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WWI German postcards


Guest Ingsoc

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Hi, the writing on the postcard is quote from an old and famous German Volkslied, "Muss i denn" origianlly written, I think, by Friedrich Silcher in 1827. The basic idea is that the singer must leave ("muss i'--the i is a contraction for the German first person singular, "ich") his "schatz"--an old word for "sweetheart"--and that his "schatz" must "blieb hier" (stay here). It is a very popular German song, and you could probably hear it if you picked up any CD with German volklieder--even the sort that is a celebration of the German Oktoberfest might have it. Hope this is a start anyway. The song has several verses. It also seems to be written in a dialect, not hochdeutsch, but I am not sure about that.

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I am not sure about Silcher, who composed the tune for 'Ich hatt' einen Kamaraden'. As far as I know, 'Muss i denn' originates in Schwabia, but was by A.Nonymous. The words quoted on the card are from verse three. The structure of this old soldiers' song is identical to umpteen others - certainly folk songs, such as 'I mean to wait for Jack', or 'The Lancashire Lads', in English. Verse 1 is a statement by the soldier that he has to march away and that although his sweetheart has to remain at home. He will return to her. In Verse 2 the soldier tells the girl to wipe away her tears at the parting. It is not all over and he reasserts the fact that despite all feminne temptations while he is gone, he will remain true to her. Verse 3 predicts the happy ending when, after years apart, he will return and marry her.

Jack

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