Marie Magdelene Dietrich von Losch (aka Marlene) was born in Schöneberg bei… Read Full Bio ↴Marie Magdelene Dietrich von Losch (aka Marlene) was born in Schöneberg bei Berlin, Germany on December 27, 1901. Her father was an army officer who had served in the Franco-Prussian War. Because of his constant absences due to his army duties, Marlene and the family had to rely on themselves. After he died, while she was 11, Marlene's mother married Eduard von Losch and he adopted the Dietrich children.

Marlene was known in school for her "bedroom eyes" and her first affairs were at this stage in her life - a professor at the school was terminated.

Marlene enjoyed music and attended concerts. She was adept at playing the violin and piano. By the time she was in her mid-teens, Marlene had discovered the stage. Acting was to be her vocation. In 1921, Marlene applied for an acting school run by Max Reinhardt. She was accepted. She appeared in several stage productions, but never had more than a couple of spoken lines. In short, she wasn't setting the stage world on fire.

She attempted films for the first time in 1922 Her first film was So sind die Männer (The Little Napoleon) (1923) which was followed by Tragödie der Liebe (Love Tragedy) (1923). On this last project, she met Rudolf Sieber and married him in 1924. The union lasted until his death in 1976 although they didn't live together the whole time.

The remainder of her early film career was generally filled with bit roles. After being seen in the German production of Der blaue Engel (The Blue Angel) (1930) in 1930, Marlene was given a crack at Hollywood. Her first US film was Morocco (1930) with Gary Cooper, which was followed by Dishonored (1931). This latter movie had her cast as a street walker who is appointed a spy. The film was rather boring but was a success because of Marlene's presence. In 1932, Marlene filmed Shanghai Express (1932) which proved to be immensely popular, grossing $3 million. Once again, she was cast as a prostitute. The next film was Blonde Venus (1932) which turned out to be a horrible production. Her co-star was Cary Grant and once again she was cast as a prostitute.

During this period Dietrich had been typecast as a woman of low morals and she wanted different parts. Her chance came in 1939 in Destry Rides Again (1939) when she was cast as "Frenchy", a Western saloon hostess. This began a new direction for Marlene since it shed the previous typecasting. All through the 1940s, she appeared in well-produced, well-directed films such as Manpower (1942), The Spoilers (1942), The Lady Is Willing (1942) and Pittsburgh (1942).

Afterwards the roles came less frequently, perhaps one to two films every year. In 1945, Marlene didn't appear in any. She only made seven productions in the 1950's. Her last role of any substance was Judgment at Nuremberg (1961). Despite the lack of theatrical roles, Marlene still made appearances on the stage. However, by 1979, she was a shell of her former self. After breaking her leg in one performance, she never made a go of it in show business again.

Spending the last 12 years of her life bed-ridden, Marlene died on May 6, 1992 in Paris, France of kidney failure at the age of 90.

Der Trommelmann
Marlene Dietrich Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Come, they told me pa-rum pum pum pum
Our newborn King to see, pa-rum pum pum pum
Our finest gifts we bring pa-rum pum pum pum
To lay before the King pa-rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum. rum pum pum pum
So to honor Him pa-rum pum pum pum
When we come

Little Baby pa-rum pum pum pum
I am a poor boy too, pa-rum pum pum pum
I have no gift to bring pa-rum pum pum pum
That's fit to give our King pa- rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
Shall I play for you, pa-rum pum pum pum
on my drum?

Mary nodded pa-rum pum pum pum
The Ox and Lamb kept time pa-rum pum pum pum
I played my drum for Him pa-rum pum pum pum
I played my best for Him pa -rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum

Then He smiled at me pa-rum pum pum pum
Me and my drum

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Marlene Dietrich's song "Der Trommelmann" tell the story of the biblical visit of the three wise men to the newborn Christ. They come to see the baby and offer their gifts to the King. The lyrics are sung from the perspective of one of the wise men, a poor boy who has no gifts to offer. Instead, he offers to play his drum for the baby. Mary gives her nod of approval, and the boy plays his drum for the baby Christ, accompanied by the animals in the stable. The boy plays his drum with all his heart and hoping to make the newborn King happy. The baby Christ smiles at him in response, showing His appreciation.

This song is a beautiful expression of the humble and sincere nature of the Christmas story. It shows how even the poorest and humblest among us can offer something to the Christ Child that is valuable and meaningful. The lyrics are simple but evoke the essence of the message of the birth of Christ. It is a reminder that Christmas is a celebration of the joy that comes from giving what is in our hearts.

Line by Line Meaning

Come, they told me pa-rum pum pum pum
Someone informed me with the sound of the drum

Our newborn King to see, pa-rum pum pum pum
To see the new-born King

Our finest gifts we bring pa-rum pum pum pum
The best gifts we can offer

To lay before the King pa-rum pum pum pum
To present the gifts to the King

Rum pum pum pum. rum pum pum pum
Drum beats in the background

So to honor Him pa-rum pum pum pum
To pay respect and homage to the King

When we come
While we present ourselves

Little Baby pa-rum pum pum pum
A small and innocent infant

I am a poor boy too, pa-rum pum pum pum
I am also a destitute child

I have no gift to bring pa-rum pum pum pum
I have nothing to offer as a present

That's fit to give our King pa- rum pum pum pum
Which is worthy enough for the King