From Over 100 years Ago . . .

 Lili Marlene is a German song that was first written as a poem by a German soldier Hans Leip in 1915 during  World War 1. In 1938 a German Nazi composer Norbert Schulze wrote the music for the song and in 1939 it was sung in German by Lale Andersen (a female singer). 

During World War 2 the song was very popular with German troops listening to army radio stations. Somehow the song got translated into English (via South Africa) and became super popular with Allied troops as well, especially among British troops in North Africa. 

Pretty soon Lili Marlene was sung around the world in over 40 languages. Until today.

Here is one English version (lyrics below), sung by Dame Vera Lynn who used to be a famous singer who entertained Allied troops during the Second World War (1940s).

 

"Lili Marleen" (Lili Marlene)

Underneath the lantern
By the barrack gate
Darling I remember
The way you used to wait
'Twas there that you whispered tenderly
That you loved me
You'd always be
My Lili of the lamplight
My own Lili Marleen

Time would come for roll call
Time for us to part
Darling I'd caress you
And press you to my heart
And there neath that far off lantern light
I'd hold you tight
We'd kiss good night
My Lili of the lamplight
My own Lili Marleen

Orders came for sailing
Somewhere over there
All confined to barracks
'Twas more than I could bear
I knew you were waiting in the street
I heard your feet
But could not meet
My Lili of the lamplight
My own Lili Marleen

Resting in our billet
Just behind the line
Even though we're parted
Your lips are close to mine
You wait where that lantern softly gleamed
Your sweet face seems
To haunt my dreams
My Lili of the lamplight
My own Lili Marleen
My Lili of the lamplight
My own Lili Marleen