Peat Bog Soldiers (Die Moorsoldaten)

[Tootler]

I had intended Mack the Knife for Dronefest but a few things went wrong, so I just left it as a cover. This song made a powerful impact on me when I first heard it. When I found out more about the circumstances of the song's origins I was even more determined to learn it. I am submitting this for Dronefest. I have tried in the arrangement to convey something of the character of the song and the repeated E in the bass is part of that.

The song originated in the Nazi Concentration camps. The original concentration camps were internment camps for opponents of Hitler (mainly communists but others as well) and were established in 1933 when the Nazis came to power. The song was written by some inmates of a camp at Bōrgermoor in Germany in 1933 and was intended as comment on the inmates situation. This song was the first of several that circulated through the camps in Germany during the Nazi era. There is more info on this songs, collectively known as "Moorsoldatenlied", here

Peat Bog Soldiers

Words: Johann Esser, Wolfgang Langhoff
Music: Rudi Goguel, Hanns Eisler
Performed by: Geoff Walker - vocal, Risa Electric Ukulele, Kala U-Bass
Recorded with Boss BR800

[Am]Far and wide as the eye can wander,
[Dm]Heath and [Am]bog are [E7]every [Am]where.
[C]Not a bird sings out to cheer us.
[Dm]Oaks are [Am]standing [E7]gaunt and [Am]bare.

Chorus
We [C]are the peat bog [G]soldiers,
[Am]Marching with our [E7]spades to the [Am]moor.

To the moor we're marched each morning
Where we dig from dawn to dusk
While the sun burns down upon us
Thoughts of home they console us.

Up and down the guards are pacing
No one, no one can get through
Flight would mean a sure death facing
Guns and barbed wire greet our view

But for us there is no complaining
Winter will in time be past
One day we will cry rejoicing
"Homeland dear, your mine at last"

Final chorus
Then will the peat bog soldiers
March no more with their spades to the moor.

[Groundy]

Wow, This is superb......
as you say it does have a powerful impact,
I am now going to the link to read more..
Thanks for sharing...........Alex

[taffsdad]

As Groundy says a powerful song indeed...although I like the way you sung it...it has a touch of fragility in the vocal that's sound really good appropriate, thanks for the Chords and Lyrics I wouldn't mind givin this a go myself...and now Im off to follow the link and read more,,,excellent post my friend

[Groundy]

I remember listening to this about 3 years ago, I just found it looking through The Overlooked Gems.


Alex.