Lili Marlene

About the Song

"Lili Marlene" is unique in military history as a song beloved by soldiers on both sides of World War II. Originally a German poem from 1915 set to music in 1938, it was popularised by Lale Andersen's recording played on Radio Belgrade. British troops in North Africa heard and adopted it, and Marlene Dietrich later recorded the English version. It became a universal soldiers' song about longing for a sweetheart.

Video

Lyrics

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 Marlene

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 Marlene

Orders came for sailing,

Somewhere over there

All confined to barracks

Was 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 Marlene