The hallmark of the Comedian Harmonists was its members' ability to blend their voices together so that the individual singers could appear and disappear back into the vocal texture and were noted for using their voices to imitate musical instruments. Their repertoire was wide, ranging from the folk and classical songs arranged by Frommermann to the more appealing and witty popular songs of the day by writers such as Peter Igelhoff, Werner Heymann and Paul Abraham.
In 1927, actor Harry Frommermann was inspired by The Revelers, a United States jazz-influenced popular vocal group, to create a German group of the same format. After some initial failures, the Harmonists soon found success, becoming popular throughout Europe, touring the United States, and appearing in 21 movies.
The group's success continued into the early 1930s, but eventually ran into trouble with the Nazi regime: three of the group members - Frommermann, Collin, and Cycowski - were either Jewish or of Jewish descent, and Bootz had married a Jewish woman. The Nazis progressively made the group's professional life more difficult, initially banning pieces by Jewish composers, and finally prohibiting them from performing in public. The group's last concert was in Munich on March 25, 1934.
Hein spielt abends so schön auf dem Schifferklavier
Comedian Harmonists Lyrics
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Hein spielt abends so schön auf dem Schifferklavier, auf dem Schifferklavier seine Lieder. Hein spielt so schön ja, Hein spielt sich in die Herzen der Mädels hinein, und sie bitten den Hein immer wieder. Jede denkt für sich, heut spielt er für mich. Jede ist so froh, jede liebt ihn so. Hein spielt abends so schön auf dem Schifferklavier, auf dem Schifferklavier seine Lieder:
Ich bin treu der Marie, keine andere küßt so wie sie (küßt so wie sie).
Ich bin treu der Marie, keine andere küßt so wie sie. Woran ich meine, woran ich meine, woran ich meine Freude hab.
Hier rauscht das Meer jetzt ein uraltes Lied, (wahr) dringt es uns tief ins Gemüt. Woran ich meine, woran ich meine, woran ich meine Freude hab.
Jede denkt für sich, heut spielt er für mich. Jede ist so froh, jede liebt ihn so. Hein spielt abends so schön auf dem Schiffklavier, auf dem Schifferklavier, all seine lustigen Lieder. Ahoi.
The song "Hein spielt abends so schön auf dem Schifferklavier" by the Comedian Harmonists is about Hein, who sits alone on the wharf, playing his accordion while the rest of the people sleep. Around him are girls who love his music, softly singing along, each thinking that he is playing the tunes just for her. Hein plays so beautifully that he wins the hearts of all the girls with his songs. Marie is one such girl, and the lyrics suggest that he sings his music for her. The melody of the sea drifts in, and the girls all sing along with him. The song has a simple meaning; it is about romance, music, and the love of the sea.
The song was released in 1932, and it has endured as a classic German folk song that reflects the spirit of the times. The song's inspiration came from the music that was popular in the 1920s and 1930s, which had a sentimental quality, with its focus on love and romance. The lyrics are simple and easy to understand, which made the song popular among German audiences. The Comedian Harmonists were a six-man vocal group formed in 1927 in Berlin. They were popular in Germany and other parts of Europe between 1928 and 1935.
Line by Line Meaning
Abends, wenn im Hafen all' die anderen Leute längst schlafen, sitzt der Hein am Boll total voll.
At night, when all the other people in the harbor have long gone to sleep, Hein sits at the boll completely drunk.
Ringsum so im Kreise sind die Mädels und singen ganz leise, denken sehnsuchtsvoll:
All around in a circle, the girls sing very softly and think longingly:
Hein spielt abends so schön auf dem Schifferklavier, auf dem Schifferklavier seine Lieder.
Hein plays so beautifully on the ship's piano in the evenings, playing his songs on the ship's piano.
Hein spielt so schön ja, Hein spielt sich in die Herzen der Mädels hinein, und sie bitten den Hein immer wieder.
Hein plays so beautifully, playing himself into the hearts of the girls, and they ask Hein to play again and again.
Jede denkt für sich, heut spielt er für mich. Jede ist so froh, jede liebt ihn so.
Each one thinks to herself, 'today he plays for me.' Each one is so happy and loves him so much.
Ich bin treu der Marie, keine andere küßt so wie sie (küßt so wie sie).
I am faithful to Marie, no one else kisses like she does (kisses like she does).
Woran ich meine, woran ich meine, woran ich meine Freude hab. Hier rauscht das Meer jetzt ein uraltes Lied, (wahr) dringt es uns tief ins Gemüt.
What gives me joy, what gives me joy, what gives me joy. Here now the sea rustles an ancient song, (true) it penetrates deeply into our soul.
Holde du, der Männer (Traum), wo bist du zu finden? Woran ich meine, woran ich meine, woran ich meine Freude hab.
Fair one, the men's (dream), where can you be found? What gives me joy, what gives me joy, what gives me joy.
Hein spielt abends so schön auf dem Schiffklavier, auf dem Schifferklavier, all seine lustigen Lieder. Ahoi.
Hein plays so beautifully in the evening on the ship's piano, playing all his cheerful songs. Ahoy.
Contributed by Lucas F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.