Peat Bog Soldier
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
[Photos found at So Many Boys via get ur pantz on]
Peat Bog Soldiers is one of Europe’s best-known protest songs. It exists in countless European languages, became a Republican anthem during the Spanish Civil War; was a symbol of resistance during the Second World War; and is popular with the Peace movement today. What makes it perhaps so poignant is the knowledge that is was written, composed and first performed in a Nazi concentration camp by the prisoners themselves. I have an article about this on my personal blog where you’ll also find the English version of the song.
0
about 4 years ago
I like the song, but what exactly are peat bog soldiers or moorsoldaten?
about 4 years ago
All explained here
http://skyclad.milkboys.org/article/die-moorsoldaten/
about 4 years ago
The broadcast was both moving and interesting. Thanks for sharing.
My father used to sing the French version.
about 4 years ago
I do so love me protest songs in all languages!
about 4 years ago
Vielen Dank für diese Horizontserweiterung :)
Kaum zu fassen, dass ich noch nie bewußt von dem Lied gehört habe. Traurig, wenn es so geblieben wäre.
about 4 years ago
The Puer Aeternus appears to be yet in chains.
about 4 years ago
Danke für dieses Lied von einem der größten deutschen Liedermacher:
http://www.scala-kuenstler.de/hannes-wader.html
about 4 years ago
The model is Colter Johnson for anyone curious.
about 4 years ago
definitely eine horizontserweiterung!!!
the Paul Robeson English version at http://skyclad.milkboys.org/article/die-moorsoldaten/ is well worth a listen, if only (but not just) to be reminded of one of the great voices (and fascinating, tragic stories) of the 20th century
always fascinated by your blog Josh. Danke!
about 4 years ago
Probably just me but top right picture? Spock, when he was 16.
about 4 years ago
Hey guys,
Forgive me for being pedantic, but if this song became a favourite anthem during the Spanish civil war, then it cannot have been written in a Nazi concentration camp. The Spanish war ended before the start of WW11, and Nazi Germany used the Spanish revolutionaries to practice Stuka dive-bombing on as they supported Franco, a Fascist similar in outlook to Mussolini.
Sorry again, but I love history! :)
about 4 years ago
@Jonty
The Spanish War was from 1936 – 1939 but the Nazis had concentration camps as early as 1933 and that’s where the song was written.
You’re right on one side and wrong on another
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazi_concentration_camps
about 4 years ago
Thanks for putting this on your blog. When I was young my parents had a book of world folk songs and I used to play it on the piano. 50 years later the tune was still haunting me, but I could remember nothing more than the title. Now, thanks to you, I have both the English and German versions to listen to and remember.
about 4 years ago
I like too the song,so much (^__^)