Muss i denn
| "Muß i denn" | |
|---|---|
 The first words of the song became the title of a film by Hans Deppe in 1962 | |
| Song | |
| Published | 1827 |
| Form | Folk song (Volkslied) |
| Writer(s) | Friedrich Silcher |
| Language | Swabian German |
"Muss i denn" (German: Muß i' denn) or "Muss i denn, muss i denn zum Städtele hinaus" is a traditional German song in the Swabian German dialect. The present form dates back to 1827, when it was written and made public by Friedrich Silcher.[1]
The melody and some verses of this song shot to fame worldwide through Elvis Presley's adaptation "Wooden Heart" in 1960, as well as Joe Dowell's version in 1961, becoming one of the most widely known German songs ever.[2]
History
"Muss i denn" is about a soldier having to leave the woman he loves and vowing to remain faithful until he is back to marry her. It first appeared on page sixteen of Friedrich Silcher's collection of popular songs titled Collected Folk Songs Adapted to Four Male Voices („Volkslieder, gesammelt und für vier Männerstimmen gesetzt“ opus 8 Nr. 12). The origin of the song, however, is obscure and the original text was not recorded. Silcher mentioned to Ludwig Uhland though that the melody was "an old melody from Württemberg".[1]
The song became famous beginning in the mid 19th century. It soon was especially well-liked among the German military as well as among excursion groups and thus was early on considered a patriotic song.[3] It also became popular among German merchant seamen as a capstan shanty, and has been played as a Naval quick march since the days of the Kaiserliche Marine. An early English translation titled "Must I, then? Must I, then? From the town must I, then?" was made by Henry William Dulcken in 1856.[4]
Some "Muss i denn" versions were widely popularized in the 20th century; those interpreted by German American actress Marlene Dietrich[5] and by Greek singer Nana Mouskouri deserve mention.[6]
Lyrics
Muss i denn, muss i denn
zum Städtele hinaus, Städtele hinaus,
Und du, mein Schatz, bleibst hier?
Wenn i komm’, wenn i komm’,
wenn i wiedrum komm’,
Kehr’ i ein, mein Schatz, bei dir.
Kann i glei net allweil bei dir sein,
Han i doch mein Freud’ an dir!
Wenn i komm’, wenn i komm’,
wenn i wiedrum komm’,
Kehr’ i ein, mein Schatz, bei dir.
Wie du weinst, wie du weinst,
Dass i wandere muss, wandere muss,
Wie wenn d’ Lieb’ jetzt wär’ vorbei!
Sind au drauss, sind au drauss
Der Mädele viel, Mädele viel,
Lieber Schatz, i bleib dir treu.
Denk du net, wenn i ’ne Andre seh’,
No sei mein’ Lieb’ vorbei;
Sind au drauss, sind au drauss
Der Mädele viel, Mädele viel,
Lieber Schatz, i bleib dir treu.
Über’s Jahr, über’s Jahr,
Wenn me Träubele schneid’t, Träubele schneid’t,
Stell’ i hier mi wiedrum ein;
Bin i dann, bin i dann
Dein Schätzele noch, Schätzele noch,
So soll die Hochzeit sein.
Über’s Jahr, do ist mein’ Zeit vorbei,
Da g’hör’ i mein und dein;
Bin i dann, bin i dann
Dein Schätzele noch, Schätzele noch,
So soll die Hochzeit sein.
Bibliography
- Tobias Widmaier: "Von Silcher zu Elvis. Metamorphosen eines schwäbischen 'Volksliedes'". In: Vom Minnesang zur Popakademie. Musikkultur in Baden-Württemberg. Katalog zur Großen Landesaustellung Baden-Württemberg 2010, edited by the Badischen Landesmuseum Karlsruhe. Karlsruhe 2010, pp. 347–50.
- August Holder: "'Muss i denn, muss i denn zum Städtele naus'. Ein schwäbischer Beitrag zur Naturgeschichte der Volksliederdichtung". In: Alemannia 19 (1892), S. 144–148 (p. 147).
See also
References
- 1 2 August Bopp, Friedrich Silcher, 1916
- ↑ Tobias Widmaier: "Muss i denn, muss i denn zum Städtele naus" (2010). In: Populäre und traditionelle Lieder. Historisch-kritisches Liederlexikon des Deutschen Volksliedarchivs
- ↑ Deutsches Soldatenlied "Muss i denn zum Städtele hinaus"
- ↑ Works by Henry William Dulcken at Project Gutenberg
- ↑ Muss i denn version by Marlene Dietrich
- ↑ Nana Mouskouri - Muß i denn muß i denn zum Städtele hinaus