Music of the Condor Legion

Discussions on the music in the Third Reich. Hosted by Ivan Ž.
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WTW26
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Music of the Condor Legion

#1

Post by WTW26 » 04 Jan 2003, 09:40

[Several topics dealing with Condor Legion songs have been merged and renamed; song titles corrected in all posts. Ivan Ž.]

I only have two: Bombenfliegermarsch der Legion Condor (Wir flogen jenseits der Grenzen...) and Marsch der Legion Condor (Wir zogen übers weite Meer...), but maybe there are more? MP3s would be very aprreciated.

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#2

Post by mty » 24 Oct 2004, 17:52

Hi!

After listening to some 200 different pieces of German martial music I have noticed that actually many songs are only slightly different "copies" of others. For example there's a song called "Pa Vikingtog" - the same melody is used also in the song of Estonian volunteer battalion and in Legion Condor Hymn. And it's not the only one. There seem to have been some sort of "recycling" in melodies during the Third Reich era :) - has anyone else noticed the same thing?


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#3

Post by Ivan Ž. » 17 Aug 2005, 11:20

Hello, mty

The melody in question originates from the "Legion Condor" song. As for the various song covers, popular melodies were often covered around the world back then, as they were before and afterwards; Axis countries were no exception. If a tune was catchy - people covered it.

Hello, WTW26

Basically, the Legion had two songs, both made by pilots who served in it. And for each song there was additionally composed a march (intro), by a professional military bandleader. But let me explain everything in detail...

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Lied der "Legion Condor"

#4

Post by Ivan Ž. » 27 Aug 2005, 17:33

"Lied der Legion Condor" was created by Oberleutnant Wolfram Philipps (1913-____) and Oberleutnant Christian Jährig (1913-____), two "Legion Condor" pilots from Aufklärungsstaffel 88 (A/88), and first published in 1939. They created it for their own unit and named it "Teufelslied der A/88". The "Teufel" in the title refers to the unit's insignia, the devil ("Teufelslied" = "Devil's Song"), who is mentioned in the lyrics as well ("...der Teufel, der lacht nur dazu: Ha-ha-ha!"). The catchy song became popular very quickly and it was soon played as the main song of the entire "Legion Condor"; it became known simply as: "Lied der Legion Condor". The song had two completely different variants of the lyrics: the 1st (ground forces variant) started with "Legion marschiert in fernem Land..." (initially "Die A marschiert in fremden Land...") and the 2nd (flyers' variant) started with "Wir zogen übers weite Meer..." The musical score was published in 1939 by Bote & Bock, Berlin. Both of the known recordings of the song (see scans below) were arranged by Stabsmusikmeister Hans Teichmann (1888-1961) and his score was published the following year, in 1940, also by Bote & Bock.

Vocal recording of the song from 1938/1939 (made in Spain)
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Instrumental recording of the song from 05.12.1940
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Lied der "Legion Condor"

1. Legion marschiert in fernem Land
und singt ein Teufelslied,
ein Flieger sitzt am Ebrostrand
und leise summt er mit.

Wir pfeifen auf Unten und Oben
und uns kann die ganze Welt,
verfluchen oder auch loben,
grad wie es jedem gefällt.

Wo wir sind da ist immer oben
und der Teufel, der lacht nur dazu (ha-ha-ha).
Wir kämpfen für Deutschland und kämpfen für Hitler,
der Rote kommt nicht mehr zur Ruh.

2. Und kehren wir dereinst zurück
nach Deutschland das wir lieben,
so gilt der letzte Abschiedsgruß
den Toten, die geblieben.

Sie starben für unser Großdeutschland,
für Führer, für Heimat und Reich,
drum wollen wir nie sie vergessen
wenn unser Befehl lautet gleich.

Wo wir sind ist immer vorwärts
und der Teufel, der lacht nur dazu (ha-ha-ha).
Wir kämpfen für Deutschland und kämpfen für Hitler,
der Rote kommt nicht mehr zur Ruh.
Lied der "Legion Condor"

1. Wir zogen übers weite Meer
ins fremde Spanierland,
zu kämpfen für der Freiheit Ehr
weil Haß und Krieg entbrannt.

Hier herrschten Marxisten und Rote,
der Pöbel, der hatte die Macht.
Da hat, als der Ordnung Bote,
der Deutsche Hilfe gebracht.

Wir jagten sie wie eine Herde
und der Teufel, der lachte dazu (ha-ha-ha).
Die Roten in spanischer Luft und zur Erde,
wir ließen sie nirgends in Ruh.

2. Hat auch der Tod mit harter Hand
die Besten oft gefällt,
wir hielten aus, der Wall stand fest,
die rote Flut zerschellt.

Und ziehen die Legionäre
als Sieger ins deutsche Land,
dann schreiten mit unsere Toten,
wir heben zum Gruße die Hand.

Wir jagten sie wie eine Herde
und der Teufel, der lachte dazu (ha-ha-ha).
Die Roten in spanischer Luft und zur Erde,
wir ließen sie nirgends in Ruh.

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Marsch der "Legion Condor"

#5

Post by Ivan Ž. » 07 Oct 2005, 21:08

A common practise in the military all over the world is that a popular song is being incorporated into a march. So, a march (instrumental intro) was made for "Lied der Legion Condor" as well. It was composed (in 1939) by Stabsmusikmeister Karl Bögelsack (1889-____), and named simply "Marsch der Legion Condor" (on some records credited also as "Parademarsch der Legion Condor"). Most people today don't make a difference between a march and a song, which creates a confusion; so, once more, to clarify: "Marsch der Legion Condor" has two parts: the 1st part is the instrumental composed by Karl Bögelsack - and the 2nd part (trio) is "Lied der Legion Condor" composed/written by Wolfram Philipps and Christian Jährig. The piece was orchestrated by Fried Walter (1907-1996) and the musical score was published in 1939 by Bote & Bock, Berlin.

Instrumental recording from 19.05.1939
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Vocal recording from 07.06.1939 [Lyrics: Wir zogen übers weite Meer...]
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Vocal recording from 23.06.1939 [Lyrics: Wir zogen übers weite Meer...]
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Vocal recording from 1939, before WWII [Lyrics: Wir zogen übers weite Meer...]
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Instrumental recording from 1939, before WWII
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Vocal recording from 1939, before WWII [Lyrics: Legion marschiert in fernem Land...]
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Bombenfliegerlied der "Legion Condor"

#6

Post by Ivan Ž. » 07 Nov 2005, 11:42

"Bombenfliegerlied der Legion Condor" (Wir flogen jenseits der Grenzen...) was created by Oberleutnant Erich Schlecht (1908-____), a "Legion Condor" pilot from Kampfgruppe 88 (K/88). He created it for his unit, K/88 (the bomber unit of the "Legion Condor"). He was not a musician and never actually wrote down the notes, nor named the song. Him and his men just sung it and unofficially called it "Bombenfliegerlied". Only after the meeting with a professional musician, Stabsmusikmeister Hans Teichmann (in 1939), the official musical score was written, together with an instrumental march-intro, which was composed by Teichmann...

Oberleutnant Erich Schlecht
Schlecht.jpg
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Photo Source: Paul J. Collection
Bombenfliegerlied der "Legion Condor"

1. Wir flogen jenseits der Grenzen
mit Bomben gegen den Feind.
Hoch über der spanischen Erde
mit den Fliegern Italiens vereint.

Wir sind deutsche Legionäre,
die Bombenflieger der Legion,
im Kampf um Freiheit und um Ehre
Soldaten der Nation.

Vorwärts, Legionäre!
Vorwärts! Im Kampf sind wir nicht allein
und die Freiheit muß Ziel uns'res Kampfes sein!
Vorwärts, Legionäre!

2. Die Roten, sie wurden geschlagen,
im Angriff bei Tag und bei Nacht,
die Fahne zum Siege getragen
und dem Volke der Frieden gebracht.

Wir sind deutsche Legionäre,
die Bombenflieger der Legion,
im Kampf um Freiheit und um Ehre
Soldaten der Nation.

Vorwärts, Legionäre!
Vorwärts! Im Kampf sind wir nicht allein
und die Freiheit muß Ziel uns'res Kampfes sein!
Vorwärts, Legionäre!

3. Wir kämpfen an allen Fronten
als Deutsche in spanischen Reih'n,
um Kämpfer für Spaniens Freiheit
und Sieger für Deutschland zu sein.

Wir sind deutsche Legionäre,
die Bombenflieger der Legion,
im Kampf um Freiheit und um Ehre
Soldaten der Nation.

Vorwärts, Legionäre!
Vorwärts! Im Kampf sind wir nicht allein
und die Freiheit muß Ziel uns'res Kampfes sein!
Vorwärts, Legionäre!

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Bombenfliegermarsch der "Legion Condor"

#7

Post by Ivan Ž. » 12 Dec 2005, 17:52

...and that is how "Bombenfliegermarsch der Legion Condor" was born. The same as in a previously explained example, the composition has two parts: the 1st part is the instrumental composed by Hans Teichmann - and the 2nd part is "Bombenfliegerlied der Legion Condor" composed/written by Erich Schlecht. The musical score was published in 1939 by Musikverlag Sanssouci [Wilke & Co.], Berlin-Wilmersdorf.

Vocal recording from 07.06.1939
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Vocal recording from 23.06.1939
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Vocal recording from 1939, before WWII
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Vocal recording from 09.1939
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Vocal recording from 16.04.1940
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Covers

#8

Post by Ivan Ž. » 02 Jan 2006, 21:13

Both melodies were quite popular - and being the songs of war volunteers - they were often covered by other war volunteers, or collaborators...


Quislings hird marsjerer (Det bryter et lys gjennem skyen...) - a song of the Norwegian NS organisation Hirden, based on Erich Schlecht's melody of "Bombenfliegerlied der Legion Condor". The Norwegian lyrics were written by Bjørn Falchenberg (1913-____). The lyrics were published in "NS-sanger", "NS-sangbok", etc. A recording of the song was made in 1940. Note: mentioned in the lyrics was the Norwegian NS leader, Vidkun Quisling (1887-1945).

Sang til Viking Korps (På vikingtog til fremmed land...) - a song of the Norwegian NS organisation Hirden, based on Philipps' and Jährig's melody of "Lied der Legion Condor". The Norwegian lyrics were written by Bjørn Falchenberg. The lyrics can be found in "Frontkjemper-sangbok", "NS-sanger", "Det nye Norges sangbok", etc. A couple of period recordings of the song were made in 1941. Note: mentioned in the lyrics was the Norwegian NS leader, Vidkun Quisling.

Legionærsangen (Vor Fane blafrer i Vinden...) - a song of the Danish SS Legion (Frikorps Danmark) from 1942, based on Erich Schlecht's melody of "Bombenfliegerlied der Legion Condor". It seems that the Danish lyricist is unknown. The lyrics were published in "Frikorps Danmark's Sangbog" and a period recording of the song was made as well. Note: mentioned in the lyrics was the unit's 1942 commander, SS-Sturmbannführer Christian Frederik von Schalburg (1906-1942).

Laul surnupealuu sõdurist (Kord võitles Lõuna-Venemaal...) - a song of the Estonian SS Battalion, based on Philipps' and Jährig's melody of "Lied der Legion Condor". The Estonian lyrics were written by Hillar Erma (1923-____) and Bernhard Einborn in 1944 (according to Hillar Erma's memory). No period recordings of the song are known, but a couple were made after WWII.

Zem mūsu kājām lielceļš balts - claimed to be a song of Latvian volunteers of the 19th SS Division. Based on Philipps' and Jährig's melody of "Lied der Legion Condor". The lyricist seems to be unknown. Period sources unknown. Currently the only sources for this song are a couple of modern recordings.

SS marschiert in Feindesland - a German SS cover of Philipps' and Jährig's "Lied der Legion Condor" (Legion marschiert in fernem Land...). Lyricist unknown. The lyrics were published in "Frikorps Danmark's Sangbog". No period recordings known, only a couple of modern ones.

Le chant du diable (SS marchons vers l'ennemi...) - a French SS cover of the previously mentioned song. Lyricist unknown. Period sources unknown. The lyrics can be found in Jean Mabire's "La division Charlemagne" (Fayard, 1974). A couple of modern recordings of the song exist.

La Légion marche vers le front - a French Foreign Legion post-WWII cover of Philipps' and Jährig's "Lied der Legion Condor" (Legion marschiert in fernem Land...). The lyricist seems to be unknown. There are several modern recordings of the song.

Ja, wer marschiert in Feindesland - claimed to be a German paratroopers' cover (Wehrmacht or Bundeswehr - not specified) of Philipps' and Jährig's "Lied der Legion Condor" (Legion marschiert in fernem Land...). Credited as the lyricist was a certain Oberleutnant Lobodzinski. The lyrics can be now found in "Liederbuch der Fallschirmjäger" (2009) and there is a modern recording of the song. No period sources known.


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#9

Post by Ivan Ž. » 15 Mar 2006, 14:57

There's one more march perhaps worth mentioning in this topic, although it's not really relevant. It was not a march of the Legion, but dedicated to the Legion. It was composed by a music teacher from Kattowitz, Leonhard Stuchlik (1875-____), and self-published in 1942. He named it "Rückkehr der Legion Condor", march for piano, Op. 35. There is no record that it was ever performed.

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#10

Post by Paulaner » 19 Nov 2010, 08:43

Hello jedermann:)))

I'd like to know if the Lied der Legion Condor (Wir zogen übers weite Meer...) is based on some folk melody? Like, for instance Waidmannsheil - when i heard it with lyrics "Ich schieß' den Hirsch im wilden Forst", for a moment i thought it was Condor's origin, because the begining is somewhat similar:)))

[Post merged with the old topic. Please see the answer above. Ivan Ž.]

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#11

Post by LSSAH1944 » 23 Mar 2012, 03:05

Hi all,

I was wondering if anyone has notes for Lied der Leigon Condor or knows where to get some.

Thanks

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#12

Post by Jumin121 » 11 Feb 2014, 14:59

ok so i'm trying to learn how to play piano but i cannot read sheet music, can someone translate Lied der Legion Condor into more simple terms for myself so i can learn this amazing song, thanks
- Andrew

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#13

Post by Ivan Ž. » 12 Feb 2014, 15:24

Dear members, I've merged several topics dealing with the "Legion Condor" songs, and corrected all the incorrect or semi-correct titles. Please see in the posts above the real origin of the popular melody some of you were asking about, the correct titles, and some more information...

Cheers,
Ivan

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#14

Post by Jumin121 » 13 Feb 2014, 14:14

well at least i just learned something
- Andrew

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Re: Lied der "Legion Condor"

#15

Post by guillermomq » 22 May 2021, 00:52

Hi. I am working about Legion Condor and i want to know if there are more information, sources or references about the composition or creation of the original song "Lied der Legion Condor". I understand that the song was recorded and published in 1939, but i assume it was compounded before. My question is: is it posible that the soldiers of the A/88 sang this song in september 1937 in the battle of Asturias? It could exist some sources that could corroborate or overrade this theory? Thank you very much. Your post have helped me a lot.

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