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Die Siegfriedlinie [Parodie]
Composer: Fritz Ganss
Arranger: Hanns Steinkopf
Vocal Group: Kammerchor Waldo Favre, Berlin
Instrumental Group: Tanzorchester; Blasorchester
Conductor: Hanns Steinkopf
Recording Date: 13.09.1941
Recording Location: Berlin, Central-Theater (Alte Jakobstraße 30-32)
Record Company: Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
Contents: The Washing on the Siegfried Line [Carr/Kennedy], Königgrätzer Marsch [Piefke/Anonym], Lied einer Kriegsberichter-Kompanie [Carr/Anonym]
Sieg Heil - Viktoria! [Marschlied]
Composer/Lyricist: Prof. Herms Niel
Arranger: Erich Walden
Vocal Group: Männerchor
Instrumental Group: Reichsmusikzug des Reichsarbeitsdienstes, Potsdam-Golm
Conductor: Hauptmusikzugführer Prof. Herms Niel
Recording Date: 09.09.1941
Recording Location: Berlin, Central-Theater (Alte Jakobstraße 30-32)
Record Company: Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
"
Die Siegfriedlinie" is a parody of the famous British 1939 song "(We're Gonna Hang Out) The Washing on the Siegfried Line", written by an Irish, Jimmy Kennedy (1902-1984), while serving in the British Army's Royal Artillery, and composed by a British-Jew, Michael Carr (190_-1968, born Cohen). Author of the German lyrics remains unknown. Parody begins with original English lyrics, in a jolly rhythm, but it's soon being stopped by
Stuka bombing; British chorus somehow continues singing, only slower now, but another
Stuka attack follows; after a short silence, a lonely voice cries "Stuka! Stuka..."; chorus struggles to sing again, but the melody is already completely twisted; the lonely voice finishes the singing, almost crying, which is followed by the trumpet playing that famous "disappointing sound" ("wah, wah, wah..."); suddenly, the "Königgrätzer Marsch" breaks the silence and now the German chorus takes over the song and sings lively their version ("Ja, mein Junge..."), known as "Lied einer Kriegsberichter-Kompanie" (
2. KB-Kompanie). Everything ends with the old "Königgrätzer Marsch", as a victorious march. Parody was composed, or better said dramatized (referring to the idea of incorporating the original British song, bombing and the "Königgrätzer Marsch") by the record producer Fritz Ganss (1898-1976), and arranged for two orchestra's by the leading radio arranger and conductor, Hanns Steinkopf (1901-1972). Parody was recorded exclusively by Steinkopf himself, with two orchestras, and he recorded it for
Grammophon, Telefunken, Electrola and radio. Two
Grammophon takes are known to be released, the 2nd and 4th. Presented here is the 2nd take, in which can be heard the following error: German singer pretending to be British sings "The Washing
in the Siegfried Line", instead of "on". This was corrected in the 4th take, which was released on the same record (identical number/label). Two German strophes were recorded. The "Siegfried Line" (German "Westwall") was a German defence system, built in '30s (opposite the French "Maginot Line"); it was more than than 630 km long and stretched from Kleve on the border with the Netherlands, to the Weil am Rhein on the border to Switzerland, with more than 18000 bunkers, tunnels and tank traps. It was finally destroyed in 1945. "
Sieg Heil - Viktoria!" ("Ade, mein liebes Schätzelein...") begins with an excellent marching tune (played at first by a fife and drum, resembling the traditional "Lockmarsch"); it is a stiff, victorious song against the Allied forces and their leaders Stalin, Churchill and Roosevelt, with refrain filled with the well-known paroles:
Gloria - Sieg Heil - Viktoria. It is interesting that Roosevelt was mentioned in the song - considering it was recorded three months before Germany declared war on the USA. Four strophes were recorded. Note: this [the only] recording of "Sieg Heil - Viktoria!" is today online often credited as LSSAH's - which is an utter nonsense, made up in the ridiculous pirate CD (RMK) with the same title.
Ivan Ž.
