LOVED the addition of the German. Both sides were filled with young men who died only for the world to ignore their sacrifice and fall back into their ways 30 years later.
Hell, it didn't even take 30 years for the world to regress into slaughter. Russia was torn apart by Civil War and Stalinist purges, Greece and Turkey were at each others throats within a year after WWI had ended, Japan invaded China as Italy was reinvigorating its dreams of Empire with poison gas in Ethiopia, and then Spain descended into chaos. The War to end all Wars was the War that started a lot of Wars.
Ich bin aus Australien. Immer habe ich dieses Lied geliebt. Und jetzt finde ich deutsche Wörter! So traurig .. aber so schön. Ich muss alles verstehen - das is warum ich habe die deutsche Sprache gerlernt. Wir mussen alles uns erinneren und nicht vergessen.
Stunning! The pictures, and sung both in German and English: I'm sure this is fullestway Eric Bogle intended this song - for ALL humankind - for the utter senseless folly of war: I love the German - Many thanks isthisnametook!!
This is one of my all time favourite songs...previously my favourite version was the one sung by the Fureys. Hearing the man who wrote the song singing (and the original words), is a gift! As an anti-war song (and sympathiser) the counterpoint is German speaks volumes about the abject stupidity of war. Both sides lost, all sides died over what amounted to a family spat. Brilliant video and priceless treasure~Thank you so much for posting!
Eric is one of the best at writing this type of song - It would be hard to find another song that stirs the emotions and pain of war like this one. The German addition is very appropriate... their sons suffered as well.
Translation of the German: Did you, dead soldier, once love a girl? Surely not only where there is peace could there be gentleness and trust You were a soldier to die and not to be young. Maybe you thought, I'll fall soon I'll take my pleasure as it comes, by force You determined to do it but then Were ashamed of yourself and didn't after all Refrain: Yes, and they lied to you just as they still do today And you gave them everything Your strength, your youth, your life. Second part (my translation, not exactly the same as in the video) The cross remains as the only trace Of your life, but hear my vow To fight for peace and be vigilant That humanity doesn't fall for lies again Then it could be that soon no one is alive anymore No one left to bury the billions of dead But more and more people are prepared To prevent this war It's time. Refrain: Yes, and they lied to you just as they still do today And you gave them everything Your strength, your youth, your life.
Here are some of the German Lyrics as sung here by Wachol. The original German song , Es ist an der Zeit by Hannes Wader has two more verses. Hast du, toter Soldat, mal ein Mädchen geliebt? Sicher nicht, denn nur dort, wo es Frieden gibt, können Zärtlichkeit und Vertrauen gedeih'n, warst Soldat, um zu sterben, nicht um jung zu sein. Sicher dachtest du dir, ich sterbe schon bald, nehme mir mein Vergnügen, wie es kommt, mit Gewalt. Dazu warst du entschlossen, hast dich aber dann vor dir selber geschämt und es doch nie getan. Ja, auch dich haben sie schon genauso belogen so wie sie es mit uns heute immer noch tun, und du hast ihnen alles gegeben: Deine Kraft, deine Jugend, dein Leben. Es blieb nur das Kreuz als die einzige Spur von deinem Leben, doch hör' meinen Schwur, für den Frieden zu kämpfen und wachsam zu sein: Fällt die Menschheit noch einmal auf Lügen herein, dann kann es gescheh'n, daß bald niemand mehr lebt, keine der die Milliarden von Toten begräbt. Doch längst finden sich mehr und mehr Menschen bereit, diesen Krieg zu verhindern, es ist an der Zeit. Ja, auch dich haben sie schon genauso belogen so wie sie es mit uns heute immer noch tun, und du hast ihnen alles gegeben: Deine Kraft, deine Jugend, dein Leben.
I get a lump in my throat eaach time I listen to this. This is my first time listening to this version and I think the German part adds a different slant. this song is as relevant today as it was way back. Some other versions on this site bring you right up to the present day visually and I recommend them. I don't want to get political, but, our troops should not be East. My thoughts are with them and their families.
I don't care what the mans name was, or where he was from; England, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, Mexico, Japan, or the "Colonies" - this is the best anti-war song ever. For the record, it was Caporetto, a soldier of The Empire of Austria-Hungary.
Beautiful song. My grandfather served in the british indian army in burma and two granduncles served in north africa all in ww2. none bore any hatred towards the men they fought. the german soldiers were victims of their own government and it is touching to see them remembered thus. the saddest thing is that strong political and religious convictions which are the percusors to apalling slaughter are still strong and spreading in todays world. spread the word lest it happens all over again!cheers
isthisnametook sure did an excellent job, having the inspiration and skill to juxtapose Eric Bogle and Hannes Wader singing together, didn't he! Guenter51 posted Hannes Wader singing the entire song as it translates into German: Es ist an der Zelt! War is hell for ALL humans. Thanks for your comment - May we - all counries - hopefully one day learn. Glad we have Eric Bogel and Hannes Wader to help us see the folly -
Superb and emotive! Anyone with a shred of empathy for armed forces in conflict will realise that this song could be sung in any language and in any uniform. There is no 'them' or 'us' when it comes to the fighting forces dying at the political will of any country. They are all victims and should be respected and remembered as such.
the german roughly translated: Did you, dead soldier, once loved a girl? Certainly not, because only where there is peace can tenderness and trust thrive, was soldier to die, not to be young.Surely you thought, I'm dying soon, take my pleasure, as it comes, by force.You were determined to do this, but then you were ashamed of yourself and never did.Yes, they have lied to you as much as they still do with us today, and you have given them everything: your strength, your youth, your life.Only the Cross remained as the only trace of your life, but hear my oath to fight for peace and to be vigilant: if humanity falls for lies again, then it can be done that soon no one will live any more, none who burys the billions of dead.But more and more people have long been willing to prevent this war, it is time.Yes, they have lied to you as much as they still do with us today, and you have given them everything: your strength, your youth, your life.
WWI is following me around for the last year now. Since the end of the first series of Downton Abbey. I've gone to see the play Warhorse, the second series of Downton Abbey, debating the theme of heroes with my sister, who mentioned this song, the movie Warhorse and the BBC adaption of Sebastian Faulks' "Birdsong" and something else along the way. But as I watched Warhorse and Birdsong recently, this song went through my head. Interesting how things stick to be recalled at a later date.
Holy-moly! I was in army. I relate. the English version gets to me. The German words (if translated corrected by Google) floors me. Nothing changes even after all these years :( Did you, dead soldier, once love a girl? Certainly not, because only where there is peace, tenderness and trust can thrive, Soldier was to die, not to be young. Surely you thought, I'm dying soon, take my pleasure as it comes, by force. You were determined to do that, but then you did ashamed of yourself and never done it. Yes, they have lied to you as well as they still do with us today, and you gave them everything: Your strength, your youth, your life. Only the cross remained as the only lane from your life, but hear my oath, to fight for peace and to be vigilant: If humanity once again falls for lies, then it may happen that no one lives soon, none of the billions of dead buried. But more and more people have been willing to To prevent this war, it is time. Yes, they have lied to you as well as they still do with us today, and you gave them everything: Your strength, your youth, your life.
According to "The Somme" by Martin Gilbert "So moved was he by the war cemeteries that, picking a name at random to represent all the fallen he wrote the song 'No-Man's Land'. ...unknown to Eric Bogle...a Private William McBride is buried in Authuille Military Cemetery. Serving in the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, he had been killed in April of 1916, near Thiepval."
The most damning line to the horror of war and its cruelty to all from military to civilian I think is "did you really believe that this war would end war". we can only hope some day that what these young people thought they were dying for will become reality.
Love the Men, Support the Men, & live with the Men who have Fought for us, seen what no one ever wanted to, and died for us, in a war that never should have been.
Superb live performance of powerful song by the author and his German comrade. I'd like to know where and when. I also humbly offer a couple of lyric variations: ...broken heart instead of "loyal" ...generation all slain by command instead of "butchered and damned" ...Did the conscripts believe that it was a just cause (last verse, 3rd line) keep on Eric
Truly moving to hear the song (only two verses sadly) sung alternately in English and German. I don't speak or understand German so I don't know what tweaks had to be made to make the lyrics fit but it sounded wonderful. The most beautiful version of this sone I've ever heard was on a CD produced in 2004 by St John's school in Dartford, in conjunction with the Normandy Veterans' Association. That version, by fifteen year old Anne Collins, a lass with one of the most beautiful singing voices I've ever heard, accompanied several other songs (both old and new), some performed by guys who'd actually been in the invasion fleet in 1944. The worst was probably the British Legion's butchered version sung by Joss Stone at the 2014 Remembrance Day concert - where the most poignant verse was edited out and one D-Day veteran who was singing himself at the event told Stone that if he were Eric Bogle then he'd sue her.
@robbierunciman As someone whose Grandfather and his six brothers were volunteers for Scotland in the 1st World War, whose Polish side of the family suffered horribly in the Second Wrold War...I have to say that my family would fully agree. My Grandfather realised that Germans are people, are people, are people.....! God Bless humankind - and God Rest for good xenophobic 'pride' and 'honour'. Wonderful version of the song. God Bless (by whatever name we call Him).
@Andre8869 Actually in WWI, at some occasions the soldiers of both sides agreed kind of private cease-fires, walked accross the lines, exchanged presents and so on.After such incidents, the units were often deployed to other parts of the front, as the commanding officers doubted whether they were still willing to fight against each other. At other parts of the front the soldiers sometimes came to silent accordance only to do a kind of mock fighting, by shooting into the air etc.
I hope you´ve changed your mind about us. Many Germans suffered a lot as well in those wars, f.e. my dad, who was just a little boy back then and whitnessed the bombing of our home town Dortmund. He´s 74 years old today and he still suffers from nightmares in which he sees Dortmund in flames. If I could do anything to change my nation´s history, to prevent my people to do the mistakes they did, but had to give my life for it, I would gladly do so, but I just can´t change anything about the past.
The song's not just about soldiers...it's about war, where the vast majority of those killed are innocent civilians...but military personnel. Lest we Forget this fact....
Thanks for posting this song in this configuration it reminds that both sides sacrificed so much and to quote one of Bogle's other songs, "at the end of the rifle we are the same" War need only be the last resort, I still can't figure a valid reason for WWI, I know the causes but no reasons if you follow?
An entire generation of men human beings were destroyed by that war, no matter the side and no matter whether they were actually killed or not. It is a shame we truly never learned the lessons of the two world wars.
Zum alles soldaten, ich bin aus Englan, ich war in deutschsland leben fur 6 jahren (1978 nacht84) der 1st kriege war shclecht, uns der zweieter.(sorry my german is bad) but this should be for all soldiers ( I served in NI, and lost mates in the falklands) I am an old soldier I cant sleep ( ich bin ein alter sodat unt kant nicht schlaffen) God bless you all ( Got mit du alles)
stand over any war grave and remember a person is there the lyrics are so true saw the France graves our own graves lifes are gone forever don't go to ANY war
Thanks for your comment and respect for your opinion. The martial arts reference was only down to my experience of the bastardisation/oft media-employed use of the 'warrior' term. Peace
@charleypride2002 Well, Hitler was born in 1889 and he fought as a German soldier (yet Austrian citizen) in France (1916 in the battle of the Somme and later near Ypres, amongst others), but he was a common soldier and deployed as a messenger, at that time. He was decorated for braveness, but, for being unpopular among his comrades due to his strange character, never advanced.
@LindsayCurran I feel sure this is entirely in Bogle's spirit. I shouldn't wonder if Bogle and Wader have not had a chat in connection with Wader's version - among many other chats over the years.
Magnificent version - and whoever Wachol is (never heard of him), he's got a beautiful voice that really complements Eric's singing. Does anybody know where I could find the German lyrics (preferably with a translation into English)? I can't speak German, but the little I could gather from this version doesn't sound like it's just a German translation of Eric's original lyrics. I'd be really interested to find out what the German verses say. Thanks for posting this clip!
@hXc232 spain , france, portugal all had world empires ,well before us, we were a little island surrounded by enemies who wanted to destroy us, we did what we did ,right or wrong for survival,we never went out to conquer the world, as certain other nations did,can never recall any king or queen making announcements to that fact, people thought the world was flat , its all very well looking at what developed in hindsight ,the empire wasnt perfect by a long shot , but many benefitted also
@CaveatVideot I'm a bit confused. I like the English lyriks, too (in the whole, a few line are a bit sentimental for my taste; in this repect "The Band played ..." maybe more stainless and realistic), and tried to point out why I don't this German translation very much.
@SchmittyRKD Yes you are correct. Obviously had a touch of typoscerosis and reversed the numbers. My main point was to point out the dates were for WW1.
This song just leaves me cold......children sent to fight for the folly of old men before thier childhood has hardly began....the flower of nations cut down in thier youth while old men called Generals point thier fingers at maps , at patches of dirty worthless soil that must be taken and never mind the cost in human life. This song really somes up the folly of war , while l must quote words from another great anti war song " when will they ever learn "
@rhart49 It's strange. So many brilliant man died, so many bulllets and shells hit and killed, but, of all soldiers, he survived that war and maybe that's one of the reasons why ghe thought that "providence" was on his side and played his game as if he couldn't possibly lose, even against all odds.
We have just honoured those who fought and died in the two great World wars, and Korea, and Viet Nam (I am Canadian, so I don't such a connection there) and, Bosnia, and Serbia, and Afghanistan, and Irag, and... My God! When will it end! I am ex-militaria, and I have nephews being deployed to Kandahar. While I respect the goal, is it really winnable? I would hope, but....!
For sure that is not only Eric Bogle singing there, The German text is sung by another person. Sounds for me like Hannes Wader, who translated that into German.
I would like to get the transcription of the text that scrolls on-screen written in yellow. I read all comments hoping that this question had already been asked. Not enough contrast for easy reading. Thanks.
Perhaps it's worth noting that msot of the fallen weren't in uniform, but were innocent civilans over the past century. Perhaps they are even more worthy of our prayers.
No one sings this song like Eric! Whether it is called the Green Fields of France, or No Man's Land. But who is that German singer, hmmmm, never heard that before.
@Biertourist Nice. This is original, like the German inclusion. May we nver forget those that fought for THEIR country. Bugger those that sent them! See John McDermott and "And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda" Redgum and "Only 19"
@packratte1 Das beste finde ich vielleicht "Le déserteur" von Boris Vian,aber auch da finde ich die deutschen Übersetzungen nicht sehr überzeugend. Es gibt aber auch ein paar sehr gute deutsche, z.B. "Die Ballade vom toten Soldaten" von Brecht.
LOVED the addition of the German. Both sides were filled with young men who died only for the world to ignore their sacrifice and fall back into their ways 30 years later.
Hell, it didn't even take 30 years for the world to regress into slaughter. Russia was torn apart by Civil War and Stalinist purges, Greece and Turkey were at each others throats within a year after WWI had ended, Japan invaded China as Italy was reinvigorating its dreams of Empire with poison gas in Ethiopia, and then Spain descended into chaos. The War to end all Wars was the War that started a lot of Wars.
Ich bin aus Australien. Immer habe ich dieses Lied geliebt. Und jetzt finde ich deutsche Wörter! So traurig .. aber so schön.
Ich muss alles verstehen - das is warum ich habe die deutsche Sprache gerlernt. Wir mussen alles uns erinneren und nicht vergessen.
Adding the German verse knocked the breath out of me. Incredible.
Love this combination of Eric Bogle's original with the German version.
Stunning! The pictures, and sung both in German and English: I'm sure this is fullestway Eric Bogle intended this song - for ALL humankind - for the utter senseless folly of war: I love the German - Many thanks isthisnametook!!
Back again, tears in my eyes, listening to this most beautiful version of a beautiful song. We will remember them all.
This is one of my all time favourite songs...previously my favourite version was the one sung by the Fureys. Hearing the man who wrote the song singing (and the original words), is a gift! As an anti-war song (and sympathiser) the counterpoint is German speaks volumes about the abject stupidity of war. Both sides lost, all sides died over what amounted to a family spat. Brilliant video and priceless treasure~Thank you so much for posting!
My first posting ever.....
First time I hear a german version of it....like the original....fantastic....thank you very much....
Eric is one of the best at writing this type of song - It would be hard to find another song that stirs the emotions and pain of war like this one.
The German addition is very appropriate... their sons suffered as well.
lovely hearing the song in English and German makes u sit and think of the horrors of war
A year on, still here, still have tears in my eyes. We will remember them all.
That is superb. The German lyrics are great too.
wonderful song and how great to have it in german as well as english...
Brings a tear to the eye every time it's sung. Very thought-provoking song in a perfect, contemplative tempo.
Translation of the German:
Did you, dead soldier, once love a girl?
Surely not only where there is peace
could there be gentleness and trust
You were a soldier to die and not to be young.
Maybe you thought, I'll fall soon
I'll take my pleasure as it comes, by force
You determined to do it but then
Were ashamed of yourself and didn't after all
Refrain:
Yes, and they lied to you just as they still do today
And you gave them everything
Your strength, your youth, your life.
Second part (my translation, not exactly the same as in the video)
The cross remains as the only trace
Of your life, but hear my vow
To fight for peace and be vigilant
That humanity doesn't fall for lies again
Then it could be that soon no one is alive anymore
No one left to bury the billions of dead
But more and more people are prepared
To prevent this war
It's time.
Refrain:
Yes, and they lied to you just as they still do today
And you gave them everything
Your strength, your youth, your life.
Thankyou for this
Here are some of the German Lyrics as sung here by Wachol. The original German song , Es ist an der Zeit by Hannes Wader has two more verses.
Hast du, toter Soldat, mal ein Mädchen geliebt?
Sicher nicht, denn nur dort, wo es Frieden gibt,
können Zärtlichkeit und Vertrauen gedeih'n,
warst Soldat, um zu sterben, nicht um jung zu sein.
Sicher dachtest du dir, ich sterbe schon bald,
nehme mir mein Vergnügen, wie es kommt, mit Gewalt.
Dazu warst du entschlossen, hast dich aber dann
vor dir selber geschämt und es doch nie getan.
Ja, auch dich haben sie schon genauso belogen
so wie sie es mit uns heute immer noch tun,
und du hast ihnen alles gegeben:
Deine Kraft, deine Jugend, dein Leben.
Es blieb nur das Kreuz als die einzige Spur
von deinem Leben, doch hör' meinen Schwur,
für den Frieden zu kämpfen und wachsam zu sein:
Fällt die Menschheit noch einmal auf Lügen herein,
dann kann es gescheh'n, daß bald niemand mehr lebt,
keine der die Milliarden von Toten begräbt.
Doch längst finden sich mehr und mehr Menschen bereit,
diesen Krieg zu verhindern, es ist an der Zeit.
Ja, auch dich haben sie schon genauso belogen
so wie sie es mit uns heute immer noch tun,
und du hast ihnen alles gegeben:
Deine Kraft, deine Jugend, dein Leben.
Joss Stone needs to watch and listen to this.
I get a lump in my throat eaach time I listen to this. This is my first time listening to this version and I think the German part adds a different slant. this song is as relevant today as it was way back. Some other versions on this site bring you right up to the present day visually and I recommend them. I don't want to get political, but, our troops should not be East. My thoughts are with them and their families.
wow theis is a great version, so moving,
RIP to all those who have died is all wars
mightysix UK
Great video! lyrics in English and German - very interestin, didn't know this version. Great
Great to heat it in English & German. Perhaps it should be sung in all the languages of the world to get the message over to all people!!
I don't care what the mans name was, or where he was from; England, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, Mexico, Japan, or the "Colonies" - this is the best anti-war song ever.
For the record, it was Caporetto, a soldier of The Empire of Austria-Hungary.
Agreed!!
He was in the 36 ulster division
@everyonelovesdee Awesome series! I love how they are SO historically accurate with the timeline...
Beautiful song. My grandfather served in the british indian army in burma and two granduncles served in north africa all in ww2. none bore any hatred towards the men they fought. the german soldiers were victims of their own government and it is touching to see them remembered thus. the saddest thing is that strong political and religious convictions which are the percusors to apalling slaughter are still strong and spreading in todays world. spread the word lest it happens all over again!cheers
isthisnametook sure did an excellent job, having the inspiration and skill to juxtapose Eric Bogle and Hannes Wader singing together, didn't he! Guenter51 posted Hannes Wader singing the entire song as it translates into German: Es ist an der Zelt! War is hell for ALL humans. Thanks for your comment - May we - all counries - hopefully one day learn. Glad we have Eric Bogel and Hannes Wader to help us see the folly -
For those on both sides, we respect but cannot know what was left behind, thank you for your sacrifice.
Remembrance / Veteran's Day, 11 November 2014
“In war, there are no unwounded soldiers.” Jose Narosky
beautiful song
Superb and emotive! Anyone with a shred of empathy for armed forces in conflict will realise that this song could be sung in any language and in any uniform. There is no 'them' or 'us' when it comes to the fighting forces dying at the political will of any country. They are all victims and should be respected and remembered as such.
great pictures, nice job
the german roughly translated: Did you, dead soldier, once loved a girl? Certainly not, because only where there is peace can tenderness and trust thrive, was soldier to die, not to be young.Surely you thought, I'm dying soon, take my pleasure, as it comes, by force.You were determined to do this, but then you were ashamed of yourself and never did.Yes, they have lied to you as much as they still do with us today, and you have given them everything: your strength, your youth, your life.Only the Cross remained as the only trace of your life, but hear my oath to fight for peace and to be vigilant: if humanity falls for lies again, then it can be done that soon no one will live any more, none who burys the billions of dead.But more and more people have long been willing to prevent this war, it is time.Yes, they have lied to you as much as they still do with us today, and you have given them everything: your strength, your youth, your life.
Amazing, so moving, such an emotional picture about the hell of war ;-(
WWI is following me around for the last year now. Since the end of the first series of Downton Abbey. I've gone to see the play Warhorse, the second series of Downton Abbey, debating the theme of heroes with my sister, who mentioned this song, the movie Warhorse and the BBC adaption of Sebastian Faulks' "Birdsong" and something else along the way. But as I watched Warhorse and Birdsong recently, this song went through my head. Interesting how things stick to be recalled at a later date.
Holy-moly! I was in army. I relate. the English version gets to me. The German words (if translated corrected by Google) floors me. Nothing changes even after all these years :(
Did you, dead soldier, once love a girl?
Certainly not, because only where there is peace,
tenderness and trust can thrive,
Soldier was to die, not to be young.
Surely you thought, I'm dying soon,
take my pleasure as it comes, by force.
You were determined to do that, but then you did
ashamed of yourself and never done it.
Yes, they have lied to you as well
as they still do with us today,
and you gave them everything:
Your strength, your youth, your life.
Only the cross remained as the only lane
from your life, but hear my oath,
to fight for peace and to be vigilant:
If humanity once again falls for lies,
then it may happen that no one lives soon,
none of the billions of dead buried.
But more and more people have been willing to
To prevent this war, it is time.
Yes, they have lied to you as well
as they still do with us today,
and you gave them everything:
Your strength, your youth, your life.
What a great song
maybe one day we will take heed and stop all wars there are no winners only losers RIP all those who made the ultimate sacrifice
No more war. We will remember them
According to "The Somme" by Martin Gilbert "So moved was he by the war cemeteries that, picking a name at random to represent all the fallen he wrote the song 'No-Man's Land'. ...unknown to Eric Bogle...a Private William McBride is buried in Authuille Military Cemetery. Serving in the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, he had been killed in April of 1916, near Thiepval."
Very moving!
This song always gives me goosebumps - Gansehaut pur!
One of the best anti-war songs ever written - Eine der besten Anti-kriegs Lieder.
The most damning line to the horror of war and its cruelty to all from military to civilian I think is "did you really believe that this war would end war". we can only hope some day that what these young people thought they were dying for will become reality.
Sehr gute Idee dieses Lied in Englisch UND in Deutsch zu singen. Danke.
Wunderbarer Song ! Knowing long long time the german version by 'Hannes Wader': Es ist an der Zeit..;-)*
Shalom&Selam&Peace
Love the Men, Support the Men, & live with the Men who have Fought for us, seen what no one ever wanted to, and died for us, in a war that never should have been.
Superb live performance of powerful song by the author and his German comrade. I'd like to know where and when. I also humbly offer a couple of lyric variations:
...broken heart instead of "loyal"
...generation all slain by command instead of "butchered and damned"
...Did the conscripts believe that it was a just cause (last verse, 3rd line)
keep on Eric
thank you
Truly moving to hear the song (only two verses sadly) sung alternately in English and German. I don't speak or understand German so I don't know what tweaks had to be made to make the lyrics fit but it sounded wonderful. The most beautiful version of this sone I've ever heard was on a CD produced in 2004 by St John's school in Dartford, in conjunction with the Normandy Veterans' Association. That version, by fifteen year old Anne Collins, a lass with one of the most beautiful singing voices I've ever heard, accompanied several other songs (both old and new), some performed by guys who'd actually been in the invasion fleet in 1944. The worst was probably the British Legion's butchered version sung by Joss Stone at the 2014 Remembrance Day concert - where the most poignant verse was edited out and one D-Day veteran who was singing himself at the event told Stone that if he were Eric Bogle then he'd sue her.
@robbierunciman
As someone whose Grandfather and his six brothers were volunteers for Scotland in the 1st World War, whose Polish side of the family suffered horribly in the Second Wrold War...I have to say that my family would fully agree. My Grandfather realised that Germans are people, are people, are people.....! God Bless humankind - and God Rest for good xenophobic 'pride' and 'honour'. Wonderful version of the song. God Bless (by whatever name we call Him).
@Andre8869 Actually in WWI, at some occasions the soldiers of both sides agreed kind of private cease-fires, walked accross the lines, exchanged presents and so on.After such incidents, the units were often deployed to other parts of the front, as the commanding officers doubted whether they were still willing to fight against each other. At other parts of the front the soldiers sometimes came to silent accordance only to do a kind of mock fighting, by shooting into the air etc.
I hope you´ve changed your mind about us. Many Germans suffered a lot as well in those wars, f.e. my dad, who was just a little boy back then and whitnessed the bombing of our home town Dortmund. He´s 74 years old today and he still suffers from nightmares in which he sees Dortmund in flames. If I could do anything to change my nation´s history, to prevent my people to do the mistakes they did, but had to give my life for it, I would gladly do so, but I just can´t change anything about the past.
There is also a Welsh version by Plethyn "Mae Gwaed ar eu dwylo" there is blood on their hands.
For the fallen, lest we forget.
The song's not just about soldiers...it's about war, where the vast majority of those killed are innocent civilians...but military personnel. Lest we Forget this fact....
Dear Lord, May they all rest in peace, for peace.
Wally Parr a British soldier in WW2 said, "Nobody wins a war, Everybody loses."
sooo touching
i exceedingly like the mix of english & german.. and certainly the whistle =)
..fuckin AMAZING
I love that he sung it in German too...
Awsome
HANNES WADER es ist an der ZEIT .the song for Peace
There are no winners in war. It's just a case of who lost the least!
+John Benton There are Winners in war. Those who made a lot of Money of it. Otherwise we wouldn´t have war.
Yet none of the combatants make any money, so who can it be?
There is nothing I can do about war. You and I both know it's stupid, but try telling the ones that wage it.
+John Benton "War does not determine who is right - only who is left." - Bertrand Russell
He wasn't just a pretty face, that Bertrand Russell.
@BaldGrace I was lost for a comment, apart from "thanks for hearing it in German, too".. Yours is the comment I wish I'd made!
Thanks for posting this song in this configuration it reminds that both sides sacrificed so much and to quote one of Bogle's other songs, "at the end of the rifle we are the same" War need only be the last resort, I still can't figure a valid reason for WWI, I know the causes but no reasons if you follow?
how powerful.
Their are no survivors of.war, only people who leave with their lives and the people that don't
My CDT teacher did a wondeful cover of this recently. I still need to pester him about recording it... x
Kul!
An entire generation of men human beings were destroyed by that war, no matter the side and no matter whether they were actually killed or not.
It is a shame we truly never learned the lessons of the two world wars.
Zum alles soldaten, ich bin aus Englan, ich war in deutschsland leben fur 6 jahren (1978 nacht84) der 1st kriege war shclecht, uns der zweieter.(sorry my german is bad) but this should be for all soldiers ( I served in NI, and lost mates in the falklands) I am an old soldier I cant sleep ( ich bin ein alter sodat unt kant nicht schlaffen) God bless you all ( Got mit du alles)
stand over any war grave and remember a person is there the lyrics are so true saw the France graves our own graves lifes are gone forever don't go to ANY war
Schönes Lied.Aber auch sehr traurig
God Bless Humankind.....simple!
Florence Green died this week.She was the last WWI.The pain of the "Great" War is truly over.The pain is only a thing of history now.
I might say, rather, that none of us is without sin.
Thanks for your comment and respect for your opinion. The martial arts reference was only down to my experience of the bastardisation/oft media-employed use of the 'warrior' term.
Peace
@charleypride2002 Well, Hitler was born in 1889 and he fought as a German soldier (yet Austrian citizen) in France (1916 in the battle of the Somme and later near Ypres, amongst others), but he was a common soldier and deployed as a messenger, at that time. He was decorated for braveness, but, for being unpopular among his comrades due to his strange character, never advanced.
Thank you. Such senseless slaughter of young men, suffering of their families.
@LindsayCurran I feel sure this is entirely in Bogle's spirit. I shouldn't wonder if Bogle and Wader have not had a chat in connection with Wader's version - among many other chats over the years.
Magnificent version - and whoever Wachol is (never heard of him), he's got a beautiful voice that really complements Eric's singing.
Does anybody know where I could find the German lyrics (preferably with a translation into English)? I can't speak German, but the little I could gather from this version doesn't sound like it's just a German translation of Eric's original lyrics.
I'd be really interested to find out what the German verses say.
Thanks for posting this clip!
Lest we forget.
@hXc232 spain , france, portugal all had world empires ,well before us, we were a little island surrounded by enemies who wanted to destroy us, we did what we did ,right or wrong for survival,we never went out to conquer the world, as certain other nations did,can never recall any king or queen making announcements to that fact, people thought the world was flat , its all very well looking at what developed in hindsight ,the empire wasnt perfect by a long shot , but many benefitted also
@CaveatVideot I'm a bit confused. I like the English lyriks, too (in the whole, a few line are a bit sentimental for my taste; in this repect "The Band played ..." maybe more stainless and realistic), and tried to point out why I don't this German translation very much.
@SchmittyRKD Yes you are correct. Obviously had a touch of typoscerosis and reversed the numbers. My main point was to point out the dates were for WW1.
This song just leaves me cold......children sent to fight for the folly of old men before thier childhood has hardly began....the flower of nations cut down in thier youth while old men called Generals point thier fingers at maps , at patches of dirty worthless soil that must be taken and never mind the cost in human life. This song really somes up the folly of war , while l must quote words from another great anti war song " when will they ever learn "
@rhart49 It's strange. So many brilliant man died, so many bulllets and shells hit and killed, but, of all soldiers, he survived that war and maybe that's one of the reasons why ghe thought that "providence" was on his side and played his game as if he couldn't possibly lose, even against all odds.
the dropkick murphys version is my fav song
We have just honoured those who fought and died in the two great World wars, and Korea, and Viet Nam (I am Canadian, so I don't such a connection there) and, Bosnia, and Serbia, and Afghanistan, and Irag, and... My God! When will it end! I am ex-militaria, and I have nephews being deployed to Kandahar. While I respect the goal, is it really winnable? I would hope, but....!
For sure that is not only Eric Bogle singing there, The German text is sung by another person. Sounds for me like Hannes Wader, who translated that into German.
à écouter sans modération
@Wanch1e1ady Nice, I agree about the german message(don't know what he sings, but am sure they do)
Schade, dass es so viele gibt, die den Text nicht verstehen. Woran liegt das wohl???
I would like to get the transcription of the text that scrolls on-screen written in yellow. I read all comments hoping that this question had already been asked. Not enough contrast for easy reading. Thanks.
dont know if anyones heard it, but the dropkick murphys covered it, and did a really good job, and no they didnt punk it.
Perhaps it's worth noting that msot of the fallen weren't in uniform, but were innocent civilans over the past century. Perhaps they are even more worthy of our prayers.
No one sings this song like Eric! Whether it is called the Green Fields of France, or No Man's Land. But who is that German singer, hmmmm, never heard that before.
@SiggiNebel : I still like this song a lot! :-) The english lyrics transport a very powerful message.
Beautiful version acknowledging the fact that thousands of young men on both sides died for WHAT??
@Biertourist Nice. This is original, like the German inclusion.
May we nver forget those that fought for THEIR country. Bugger those that sent them!
See John McDermott and "And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda" Redgum and "Only 19"
What a horrific century since August of 1914.
May the 21st be better.
Geil das kannte ich noch gar nicht, und ich kenne viel davon. Wer ist der deutsche Strophensänger?
@packratte1 Das beste finde ich vielleicht "Le déserteur" von Boris Vian,aber auch da finde ich die deutschen Übersetzungen nicht sehr überzeugend. Es gibt aber auch ein paar sehr gute deutsche, z.B. "Die Ballade vom toten Soldaten" von Brecht.