The purpose of the band was to stir pro-Nazi sympathy, draw attention to World War II Allied losses, and carry Adolf Hitler's messages in an entertaining form. The songs stressed how badly the war was going for the target audience, and how it was only going to be a matter of time before they would be beaten.
Led by German accented front man Karl Schwedler ("Charlie"), conducted by Lutz Templin, and paced by drummer Fritz "Freddie" Brocksieper, the band included Kurt Abraham on reeds and Willy Berking on trombone. The group formed in 1940, making over 90 recordings between March 1941 and February 1943. Arrangements were by Templin, Willy Berking, and Franz Mück, with lyrics written by the Propagandaministerium. Schwedler was allowed permission to travel to neutral and occupied countries to collect jazz and dance music, which helped the band and propaganda ministry to craft more recordings.
Popular American swing songs - and popular British tunes/songs - were initially performed true to the original, until about the second or third verse which were replaced by pro-German lyrics and monologues. For example, in the tune You're Driving Me Crazy, Schwedler croons about the confusion of new love, and in the third verse continues: Here is Winston Churchill's latest tear-jerker: Yes, the Germans are driving me crazy / I thought I had brains / But they shot down my planes..." Later, the entire lyric would be modified, clearly based on the original. The band even recorded some "cover versions" of the originals, unaltered.
Indeed, anecdotal accounts indicate that Winston Churchill enjoyed the broadcasts, finding the lyrics hilarious.
Many of the members of Charlie and his Orchestra went on to successful careers in music after the war.
The Sheik of Araby
Charlie and His Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Your love belongs to me.
At night when you're asleep
Into your tent I'll creep.
The stars that shine above,
Will light our way to love.
You'll rule this land with me;
I'm the Sheik of Araby."
The Sheik of Araby is a song about a man who proclaims himself as the ruler of Araby, and declares the people's love to belong to him. The lyrics employ elements of Arabian folklore and imagery to paint a picture of a powerful and mysterious Sheikh who can conquer and rule over his people's hearts. The words "Your love belongs to me" and "You'll rule this land with me" indicate that the Sheik has complete control over his lover and his land, implying an element of dominance and submission.
The use of the tent metaphor in the lyrics highlights the romantic and seductive element of the song. The Sheik promises to creep into his lover's tent when she's asleep, indicating that he is devoted to her and will do anything to win her love. The stars above symbolize an eternal connection between the Sheik and his beloved, as they will guide their love towards forever.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm the Sheik of Araby,
I hold extensive power and authority as a leader of the Arab world.
Your love belongs to me.
I possess your love, it is now mine to have and to cherish.
At night when you're asleep
During the nighttime hours while you slumber,
Into your tent I'll creep.
I will stealthily make my way into your dwelling, unnoticed.
The stars that shine above,
The celestial bodies that illuminate the sky,
Will light our way to love.
Shall guide us as we romantically traverse the world together.
You'll rule this land with me;
You shall co-reign over this region with me as my mate.
Together we'll be free.
We will attain our freedom and independence as we rule together.
Lyrics © HARRY B. SMITH COPYRIGHTS, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Ted Snyder, Harry B. Smith, Francis Wheeler
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ryan Murphy
on Dinah
Thanks for these lyrics. Fine music.