During World War II, Alexander was a member of the Luftwaffenhelfer and the Reichsarbeitsdienst before being drafted into the navy. In 1945, he was captured by the British and held as a prisoner-of-war.
After the war he attended Vienna's Max Reinhardt Seminary for actors until 1948 and started a career as actor. He starred in several musical comedies, including among others Liebe, Tanz und 1000 Schlager and Peter schießt den Vogel ab. Later he starred in the famous Count Bobby movies and the Luemmel-series. In the 1970s, Peter Alexander started a second career as a TV host and entertainer. He is a talented imitator of voices and people, including Queen Elizabeth II.
He married Hilde Haagen in 1952, and they had two children, Susanne Alexander Neumayer (born in 1958), an artist, and Michael (born in 1963). Since the death of his wife Hilde in 2003, he has lived in his house in Vienna in the 19th district, completely retired from the public.
Peter Alexander died on February 12th 2011 in Vienna.
Es war im Böhmerwald
Peter Alexander Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Da liegt mein Heimatort
Es ist gar lang schon her
Das ich von dort bin fort
Doch die Erinnerung
Die bleibt mir stets gewiss
Das ich den Böhmerwald nie ganz vergiss
Es war im Böhmerwald
Im Schönen grünen Böhmerwald
Es war im Böhmerwald
Wo meine Wiege stand
Im Schönen grünen Wald
Nur einmal noch Oh Herr
Lass mich die Heimat sehen
Den schönen Böhmerwald
Die Täler und die Höhne
Dann kehr ich gern zurück
Und rufe freudig aus
Behüt dich Böhmerwald
Ich bleib zuhaus
Es war im Böhmerwald
Wo meine Wiege stand
Im Schönen grünen Böhmerwald
Es war im Böhmerwald
Wo meine Wiege stand
Im Schönen grünen Wald
Peter Alexander's song Es war im Böhmerwald (Böhmerwald-Lied) is a nostalgic tribute to his hometown in the Böhmerwald, a mountain range situated in the Czech Republic, Germany, and Austria. The opening lines express the singer's deep-rooted sentimentality towards his Heimatort, the place where he was born and raised. He admits that it has been a long time since he has been there, but his memories of the Böhmerwald have remained steadfast in his mind. He assures his listeners that he will never forget the beauty and charm of the Böhmerwald.
The second half of the song expresses the singer's longing to return to his hometown, to see once again the valleys and hills of the Böhmerwald. He prays to the Lord for one last chance to visit his homeland, after which he will happily return and declare that he has found his true home. The repetition of the line "Es war im Böhmerwald" serves to emphasize the deep emotional connection between the singer and his homeland. Overall, the song is a beautiful and heartfelt tribute to the Böhmerwald and the lasting impact it has had on Peter Alexander's life.
Line by Line Meaning
Tief drin in Böhmerwald
My hometown lies deep in the heart of Böhmerwald.
Da liegt mein Heimatort
That’s where my hometown is.
Es ist gar lang schon her
It's been a long time since I left there.
Das ich von dort bin fort
I left that place behind.
Doch die Erinnerung
But the memories.
Die bleibt mir stets gewiss
They remain with me, always vivid.
Das ich den Böhmerwald nie ganz vergiss
I’ll never forget Böhmerwald entirely.
Es war im Böhmerwald
It happened in Böhmerwald.
Wo meine Wiege stand
Where my cradle used to be.
Im Schönen grünen Böhmerwald
In the beautiful, green Böhmerwald.
Nur einmal noch Oh Herr
Only once more, Oh Lord.
Lass mich die Heimat sehen
Let me see my homeland once again.
Den schönen Böhmerwald
The beautiful Böhmerwald.
Die Täler und die Höhne
The valleys and the hills.
Dann kehr ich gern zurück
Then I'll gladly return.
Und rufe freudig aus
And joyfully exclaim.
Behüt dich Böhmerwald
Take care of yourself, Böhmerwald.
Ich bleib zuhaus
I'll stay at home.
Contributed by Brody T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.