"Erika" is a German
marching song. It is primarily associated with the German Army, especially that of
Nazi Germany, although its text has no political content.[1] It was created by
Herms Niel and published in 1938, and soon came into usage by the
Wehrmacht. It was frequently played during
Nazi Party public events. According to British soldier, historian, and author
Major GeneralMichael Tillotson, it was the single most popular marching song of any country during the
Second World War.[2]
Origins
"
Erika" is both a common German female name and the German word for
heather. The lyrics and melody of the song were written by
Herms Niel, a German composer of marches. The exact year of the song's origin is not known; often the date is given as "about 1930",[3] but this has never been substantiated. The song was originally published in 1938 by the publishing firm
Carl Louis Oertel [
de] in
Großburgwedel, but it had been popular prior to the war.[4]
Music
The song begins with the line "Auf der Heide blüht ein kleines Blümelein" (On the heath a little flower blooms), the theme of a flower (Erika) bearing the name of a soldier's sweetheart.[2] After each line, and after each time the name "Erika" is sung, there is a three
beatpause, which is filled by the
kettledrum or stamping feet (e.g. of marching soldiers), shown as (xxx) in the
text below.
Lyrics
1. Auf der Heide blüht ein kleines Blümelein (xxx)
und das heißt (xxx) Erika. (xxx)
Heiß von hunderttausend kleinen Bienelein (xxx)
wird umschwärmt (xxx) Erika. (xxx)
Denn ihr Herz ist voller Süßigkeit, (xxx)
zarter Duft entströmt dem Blütenkleid. (xxx)
Auf der Heide blüht ein kleines Blümelein (xxx)
und das heißt (xxx) Erika. (xxx) —(xxx) as before
2. In der Heimat wohnt ein kleines Mägdelein
und das heißt Erika.
Dieses Mädel ist mein treues Schätzelein
und mein Glück, Erika.
Wenn das Heidekraut rot-lila blüht,
singe ich zum Gruß ihr dieses Lied.
Auf der Heide blüht ein kleines Blümelein
und das heißt: Erika.
3. In mein'm Kämmerlein blüht auch ein Blümelein
und das heißt Erika.
Schon beim Morgengrau'n sowie beim Dämmerschein
schaut's mich an, Erika.
Und dann ist es mir, als spräch' es laut:
"Denkst du auch an deine kleine Braut?"
In der Heimat weint um dich ein Mägdelein
und das heißt Erika.[5]
On the heath, there blooms a little flower fine (xxx)
and it's called (xxx) Erika. (xxx)
Eagerly a hundred thousand little bees, (xxx)
swarm around (xxx) Erika. (xxx)
For her heart is full of sweetness, (xxx)
a tender scent escapes her blossom-gown. (xxx)
On the heath, there blooms a little flower (xxx)
and it's called (xxx) Erika. (xxx)
Back at home, there lives a little maiden
and she's called Erika.
That girl is my faithful little darling
and my joy, Erika.
When the heather blooms in a reddish purple,
I sing her this song in greeting.
On the heath, there blooms a little flower
and she's called Erika.
In my room, there also blooms a little flower
and she's called Erika.
Already In the grey of dawn, as it does at dusk,
It looks at me, Erika.
And then it's to me as if it's saying aloud:
"Are you thinking of your little bride?"
Back at home, a maiden weeps for you
and she's called Erika.