Lili Marlene
Ambrose & His Orchestra Lyrics
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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,
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.
Resting in a billet, just behind the line,
Even tho'we're parted, your lips are close to mine.
You wait where that lantern softly gleams.
Your sweet face seems to haunt my dreams.
My Lili of the lamplight, My own Lili Marlene.
The song "Lili Marlene" was originally written as a poem in 1915 by Hans Leip, a German soldier, during World War I. It was later set to music by Norbert Schultze in 1938 and became extremely popular during World War II. The song tells the story of a soldier who is stationed by a lantern at the barrack gate and reminiscing about his love, Lili, who used to wait for him there.
The opening lines "Underneath the lantern, by the barrack gate, Darling I remember the way you used to wait" evoke a sense of nostalgia and longing. The imagery of the lantern and the barrack gate creates a sense of a specific time and place, bringing the listener back to a moment in time. The soldier remembers Lili's tender whispers and promises of love, the promise of being his "Lili of the lamplight." However, despite their profound love, the war separates them, and the soldier must go to war.
As the song continues, the soldier recalls the difficult moments when he must leave Lili and go to war. Even though he wants to hold her and kiss her, he can only do so "neath that far off lantern light, " before they must part ways. When the orders come for sailing off to war, he is heartbroken and unable to meet Lili once again under the lamplight. However, he remembers her and dreams of her when he is resting in a billet, her face haunting his dreams.
Overall, the song is a poignant tale of love and the cruelty of war. Its popularity during World War II made it an anthem for soldiers on both sides, and it remains an enduring symbol of love and nostalgia to this day.
Line by Line Meaning
Underneath the lantern, by the barrack gate,
I recall waiting for you under the lamplight by the entrance to the military base
Darling I remember the way you used to wait.
I recollect how you used to wait for me with affection
'Twas there that you whispered tenderly,
It was there that you softly and fondly whispered
That you loved me, You'd always be,
That you loved me and would always stay by my side
My Lili of the lamplight, My own Lili Marlene.
Addressing you as my Lili of the lamplight and my very own Lili Marlene
Time would come for roll call, Time for us to part,
The time would come for us to part ways for the roll call
Darling I'd caress you and press you to my heart,
I would hold you tightly, embrace you and keep you close to my heart
And there 'neath that far off lantern light,
And under that distant light source of the lantern
I'd hold you tight, We'd kiss good-night,
I would clasp you firmly and then we would kiss each other good-night
My Lili of the lamplight, My own Lili Marlene.
Addressing you as my Lili of the lamplight and my very own Lili Marlene once again
Orders came for sailing somewhere over there,
The orders arrived to sail away to a foreign land
All confined to barracks was more than I could bear;
Being confined to the barracks was unbearable for me
I knew you were waiting in the street,
I knew you were waiting for me on the street
I heard your feet, But could not meet,
I could hear the sound of your footsteps but could not meet you
My Lili of the lamplight, My own Lili Marlene.
Addressing you as my Lili of the lamplight and my very own Lili Marlene
Resting in a billet, just behind the line,
Taking some rest in a shelter situated just behind the line
Even tho'we're parted, your lips are close to mine.
Although we are separated, it feels like your lips are near mine
You wait where that lantern softly gleams.
You are waiting at the place where the lantern is softly shining
Your sweet face seems to haunt my dreams.
Your lovely face appears in my dreams and lingers on my mind
My Lili of the lamplight, My own Lili Marlene.
Addressing you as my Lili of the lamplight and my very own Lili Marlene for the last time
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Hans Leip, Norbert Schultze
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind