Alte Kameraden

"Alte Kameraden"
"Alte Kameraden" cover
March by Carl Teike
Released	1889
Writer(s)	Carl Teike

"Alte Kameraden" ("Old Comrades") is the title of a popular German military march. It is included in the Armeemarschsammlung as HM II, 150.

The march was written around 1889 in Ulm, Germany, by military music composer Carl Teike. Teike wrote many pieces for the marching band of Grenadier-Regiment König Karl (5. Württembergisches) No. 123. When bringing his newly composed march to the regiment, the Kapellmeister Oelte simply told him: "We've got plenty enough of musical marches, put this one in the stove!". This episode eventually led to Teike taking his leave of the band and naming the march as "Alte Kameraden". Teike later worked as a police officer but also continued composing military marches, adding up to approximately 100 in total.

Alte Kameraden auf dem Marsch durchs Land
Schließen Freundschaft felsenfest und treu.
Ob in Not oder in Gefahr,
Stets zusammen halten sie auf's neu.

Old comrades on the march through the country
Hold friendship faithful and true.
Whether in need or in danger
Always together they hold new at it.

Zur Attacke geht es Schlag auf Schlag,
Ruhm und Ehr soll bringen uns der Sieg,
Los, Kameraden, frisch wird geladen,
Das ist unsere Marschmusik.

During the attack, it goes blow on blow,
Glory and honor will bring us victory,
Come, comrades, fresh and loading,
This is our marching music.

Im Manöver zog das ganze Regiment
Ins Quartier zum nächsten Dorfhauselement
Und beim Wirte das Geflirte
Mit den Mädels und des Wirtes Töchterlein.

During manoevers, the whole regiment
Took quarters in the nearest village house element.
And when flirting at our lodgings,
With the girls and the landlord's daughter.

Lachen scherzen, lachen scherzen, heute ist ja heut'
Morgen ist das ganze Regiment wer weiß wie weit.
Kameraden, ja das Scheiden ist nun einmal unser Los,—
Darum nehmt das Glas zur Hand und wir rufen "Prost".

Laughing joking, laughing joking, today yes today
Tomorrow is the whole regiment who knows how far.
That, comrades, is the warrior's bitter lot
So take the glass to hand and say "Cheers".

Alter Wein gibt Jugendkraft;
Denn es schmeckt des Weines Lebenssaft.
Sind wir alt, das Herz bleibt jung
Und gewaltig die Erinnerung.

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Wikipedia