In 1952 he joins an international competition for the first time in Belfast, Ireland, where he wins the first prize.
However it takes till 1954 before he records his first songs, mainly songs about life at sea and some country music.
He soon extends his career by learning to act, and he will join several movies in Germany.
1956 sees Freddy representing Germany at the first Eurovision Song Contest together with Walter Andreas Schwarz. It is the only year that countries enter the contest with two songs. No points are given, and only the winner, Lys Assia is anounced.
Freddy's songs however become instant hits in Germany, Austria, Luxemburg, the Netherlands and Belgium and several other countries.
"La Paloma","Junge, komm bald wieder" and "Die Gitarre und das Meer" bring him fame, golden records and many awards.
Freddy keeps singing all his life, and in 2002 he makes his last tour, which ends in the city where he is born : Vienna.
Alo-Ahe
Freddy Quinn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Alo-Ahe
Schau mich an
Und reich mir deine Hand
Es war schön
So schön mit dir am Land
Weine nicht, beim auseinandergeh'n
Alo-Ahe
Alo-Ahe
Wer weiß wann ich
Dich einmal wiederseh'
Alo-Ahe
Alo-Ahe
Die Heimat der Matrosen ist die See
Heute Nacht
Muss ich zurück an Bord
Denn mein Schiff
Fährt ohne mich nicht fort
Lebe wohl
Der Abschied fällt mir schwer
Doch ein Seemann gehört auf das Meer
Alo-Ahe
Alo-Ahe
Wer weiß wann ich
Dich einmal wiederseh'
Alo-Ahe
Alo-Ahe
Die Heimat der Matrosen ist die See
The song Alo-Ahe by Freddy Quinn is a song about a sailor who is leaving behind his lover to return to his ship. The sailor implores his lover to look at him and touch his hand one last time before their separation. He reminisces about the beautiful time they spent together on land but reminds his lover not to cry as sailors do not like to see tears. He repeats the refrain of "Alo-Ahe" which serves both as a nod to Hawaiian culture (the phrase means "welcome" in Hawaiian) and as a general expression of farewell. The second verse speaks once again of the sailor's return to his ship that cannot leave without him. He bids farewell with a heavy heart but reminds his lover that a sailor belongs at sea.
The song captures the bittersweet emotion of departing from a loved one and returning to one's profession. It is a poignant reminder that sailors, while they may enjoy brief moments of happiness on land, must always return to their "home" which is the sea. The song is also an homage to the Hawaiian culture which has inspired much of the music and traditions associated with sailors.
Line by Line Meaning
Schau mich an
Look at me and see how much I care
Und reich mir deine Hand
Reach out and let me hold your hand
Es war schön
Being with you was beautiful
So schön mit dir am Land
So amazing to be on land with you
Weine nicht, beim auseinandergeh'n
Don't cry as we are saying goodbye
Denn ein Seemann will Tränen nicht seh'n
Because a sailor can't bear to see tears
Wer weiß wann ich Dich einmal wiederseh'
Who knows when I will see you again
Die Heimat der Matrosen ist die See
The home of sailors is the sea
Heute Nacht
Tonight
Muss ich zurück an Bord
I must return to my ship
Denn mein Schiff
Because my ship
Fährt ohne mich nicht fort
Cannot leave without me
Lebe wohl
Farewell
Der Abschied fällt mir schwer
Parting is hard for me
Doch ein Seemann gehört auf das Meer
But a sailor belongs to the sea
Writer(s): Gunter Loose, Lothar Olias, Queen Lilioukalani
Contributed by Noah A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.