Paths of Glory 1957 film ending German song title and lyrics in Englis

[John Gilinsky]

Does anyone know the title of the ending German language song that was sung by the soon to be Mrs. Kubrick at the end of the great film "Paths of Glory" 1957? ALSO does anyone have both the full German lyrics with a good English translation of same? Is this song a Goethe song by any chance?

John (aka Hans)

der Toronto

Kanada

[kildaremark]

John,

Just turn on the subtitles on the DVD in German and that will solve the first part for you.

Not sure though if English subtitles will bring up song in English however.

Mark

[MelPack]

John

From a review by Tim Dirks:

In the final memorable sequence of the film, Dax wanders in the streets of the town towards his quarters. He hears lecherous, cat-call whistling and shouting in a nearby tavern, where men from his troops are getting drunk for "a little diversion" (according to the master of ceremonies tavern keeper) following the execution. He stands outside in the doorway, witnessing the coaxing of a frightened, fragile, teary-eyed and innocent German blonde girl (Susanne Christian in the credits, actually Christiane Harlan, director Kubrick's future third and last wife). She may be a prisoner, or a refugee who is forced to sing a song in front of rowdy soldiers who are cat-calling, hooting, and laughing at her.

The girl is introduced by the tavern keeper as "our latest acquisition from the enemy...from Germany, the land of the Hun!" She is "a little pearl washed ashore by the tide of war" who has "a little natural talent" (he gestures over her physical curves) and "she can sing like a bird - she has a throat of gold." Dax recognizes companions of the executed men and is disappointed by their apparent lustful callousness shortly following the death of their own comrades. In front of the raucous troops, the timid and fragile young girl - with tears on her cheeks - begins to sing a ballad - in German. [it is a universally-known folk song of love in war, called "The Faithful Soldier" - (La Treue Hussar (Fr.) or Der treue Hussar (Ger.)).] It is a simple, sweet song that is inaudible until the audience quiets down and listens intently and respectfully to her plaintive voice. Soon, hers is the only voice in the tavern:

(loosely translated, in part)

A faithful soldier, without fear,

He loved his girl for one whole year,

For one whole year and longer yet,

His love for her, he'd ne'er forget.

This youth to foreign land did roam,

While his true love, fell ill at home.

Sick unto death, she no one heard.

Three days and nights she spoke no word.

And when the youth received the news,

That his dear love, her life may lose,

He left his place and all he had,

To see his love, went this young lad...

He took her in his arms to hold,

She was not warm, forever cold.

Oh quick, oh quick, bring light to me,

Else my love dies, no one will see...

Pallbearers we need two times three,

Six farmhands they are so heavy.

It must be six of soldiers brave,

To carry my love to her grave.

A long black coat, I must now wear.

A sorrow great, is what I bear.

A sorrow great and so much more,

My grief it will end nevermore.

The soldiers - for once affected and showing some regard for human life - join her and hum along with their faces drawn to her. The human feelings in the song transcend the language barriers - some of the French soldiers may know the tune of their enemy's song, and some may even know the words. One of the youngest recruits in the audience has tears flowing down his cheeks. The song evokes memories of their youth, their homes, and their loves in a world they may never see again. There is still a hint of their common humanity and sensitivity in the men despite the misery and depravity of war.

Suddenly, Dax, who has been watching and listening impassively, receives a message from another officer with orders to return his unit immediately to the front's trenches - little has changed in the war. Still in charge, Broulard has transferred Dax and his men back to the front. To give his men the "short" rest they were promised but never fully received following the assault on Ant Hill, Dax replies, with the film's last line:

Well, give the men a few minutes more, sergeant.

Regards

Mel

[montbrehain]

MEL , excellent info , thanks for bringing it to our attention.. I too have wondered about the song. Now I know "MO"

[MelPack]

Mo

A litte more:

1. Es war einmal ein treuer Husar,

Der liebt' sein Mädchen ein ganzes Jahr,

|: Ein ganzes Jahr und noch viel mehr,

Die Liebe nahm kein Ende mehr. :|

2. Der Knab' der fuhr ins fremde Land,

Derweil ward ihm sein Mädchen krank,

|: Sie ward so krank bis auf den Tod,

Drei Tag, drei Nacht sprach sie kein Wort. :|

3. Und als der Knab' die Botschaft kriegt,

Daß sein Herzlieb am Sterben liegt,

|: Verließ er gleich sein Hab und Gut,

Wollt seh'n, was sein Herzliebchen tut. :|

4. Ach Mutter bring' geschwind ein Licht,

Mein Liebchen stirbt, ich seh' es nicht,

|: Das war fürwahr ein treuer Husar,

Der liebt' sein Mädchen ein ganzes Jahr. :|

5. Und als er zum Herzliebchen kam,

Ganz leise gab sie ihm die Hand,

|: Die ganze Hand und noch viel mehr,

Die Liebe nahm kein Ende mehr. :|

6. "Grüß Gott, grüß Gott, Herzliebste mein!

Was machst du hier im Bett allein?"

|: "Hab dank, hab Dank, mein treuer Knab'!

Mit mir wird's heißen bald: ins Grab!" :|

7. "Grüß Gott, grüß Gott, mein feiner Knab.

Mit mir wills gehen ins kühle Grab.

|: "Ach nein, ach nein, mein liebes Kind,

Dieweil wir so Verliebte sind." :|

8. "Ach nein, ach nein, nicht so geschwind,

Dieweil wir zwei Verliebte sind;

|: Ach nein, ach nein, Herzliebste mein,

Die Lieb und Treu muß länger sein. :|

9. Er nahm sie gleich in seinen Arm,

Da war sie kalt und nimmer warm;

|: "Geschwind, geschwind bringt mir ein Licht!

Sonst stirbt mein Schatz, daß's niemand sicht. :|

10. Und als das Mägdlein gestorben war,

Da legt er's auf die Totenbahr.

|: Wo krieg ich nun sechs junge Knab'n,

Die mein Herzlieb zu Grabe trag'n? :|

11. Wo kriegen wir sechs Träger her?

Sechs Bauernbuben die sind so schwer.

|: Sechs brave Husaren müssen es sein,

Die tragen mein Herzliebchen heim. :|

12. Jetzt muß ich tragen ein schwarzes Kleid,

Das ist für mich ein großes Leid,

|: Ein großes Leid und noch viel mehr,

Die Trauer nimmt kein Ende mehr. :|

tr. Frank 1999

A faithful soldier, without fear,

He loved his girl for one whole year,

For one whole year and longer yet,

His love for her, he'd ne'er forget.

This youth to foreign land did roam,

While his true love, fell ill at home.

Sick unto death, she no one heard.

Three days and nights she spoke no word.

And when the youth received the news,

That his dear love, her life may lose,

He left his place and all he had,

To see his love, went this young lad.

Oh mother dear, bring light to me,

My darling dies, I cannot see.

He was indeed a soldier true,

Who loved his girl, a whole year through.

And as to his dearheart he went,

Without a word, her hand she lent.

She lent her hand, and then much more.

That love would last for evermore.

Hello my dear, love of my own,

What do you here, in bed alone?

Thank you, thank you, my faithful friend,

With me, it soon will be the end.

Hello my dear, my faithful knave,

Soon I will be in a cool grave.

Oh no, oh no, my honeychild,

Our love will make your illness mild.

Oh no, oh no, not quite so fast,

Not for as long our love would last.

Oh no, oh no, dearheart to me,

Our love and faih must longer be.

He took her in his arms to hold,

She was not warm, forever cold.

Oh quick, oh quick, bring light to me,

Else my love dies, no one will see.

And when the maid, in death lay here,

Her body he laid on a bier.

Where can I get six strong young men,

To the grave carry my love then.

Pallbearers we need two times three,

Six farmhands they are so heavy.

It must be six of soldiers brave,

To carry my love to her grave.

A long black coat, I must now wear.

A sorrow great, is what I bear.

A sorrow great and so much more,

My grief it will end nevermore.

Regards

Mel

[John Gilinsky]

Mein Gott! Danke, danke und gross danke fuer alle ihre HELP!

Thanks everyone for taking the time to give everyone both the German and English translated lyrics along with the song title and background. I always thought that I remember hearing all brothers or something and so thought immediately of Goethe or perhaps a Schiller poem dealing with universal war and/or peace or something like that.

John

Toronto