I guess that many of us enjoy the chapter in A Time of Gifts when the eighteen year old Paddy spent two nights in Stuttgart with two very pretty nineteen year old German girls, Lise and Annie. It was Epiphany, 6th January 1934, and they went to a party where Paddy had to pretend to be Mr Brown, a family friend. He particularly enjoyed singing a song about the Neckar Valley and Swabia. Paddy could not remember all the words but his stunning memory recalled most of them (page 66).
As we approach that time of year I thought we ought to share this delightful song. It is one of my favourite posts, so here it is again!
Even better James has found it on You Tube 🙂
Here is a link to the music sung by a German choir. The words are below so that you too can sing along! Let’s hear it now, one two three ….
Refrain: 2. Kennt ihr das Land in deutschen Gauen, |
3. Kennt ihr das Land in deutschen Gauen, Wo Tann’ und Efeu immer grün, Wo starke Männer, edle Frauen In deutscher Kraft und Sitte blühn? Es ist das Land, . . . . .4. Kennt ihr das Land im deutschen Süden, So oft bewährt in Kampf und Streit, Dem zwischen seiner Wälder Frieden So frisch die deutsche Kraft gedeiht?Ja, wackre Deutsche laßt uns sein! Drauf reichet euch die deutsche Hand; Denn Schwabenland ist’s nicht allein: Das ganze Deutschland ist mein Heimatland! |
Patrick Leigh Fermor 
I loved listening to this – and looking up the reference! Do you know if a translation into English is available?
Sorry I don’t Sarah. You could try to google, or, of course, use google translate.
Sorry, I don’t have time to translate it all for you, but to be honest the lyrics are pretty anodyne… the usual schmaltzy stuff about gorgeous countryside, deep dark forests, noble women, strong men etc… 60 years on and 95% of German folk music is just recycling the same lyrics! You are best off just soaking in the general atmosphere rather than worrying about the detail!!!
Maybe it was just my computer, but I couldn’t get that link to work. But a quick google found the song on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvAjQB7kf7Y
Thanks James. Good spot. I’ve added it to the post. Tom