Der Tod in Flandern [English Captions] | Landsnecht and German war song

This song was first published in 1916 as “Vlaamse dodendans” with Dutch lyrics by L. van de Lende. The melody dates back to a 15th-century "Rhenish death song" or "nun dance song".

The origin of the German-language variant isn’t well confirmed. It is attributed to Elsa Laura von Wolzogen, who collected old and young songs from Germany and other European countries before and during the First World War and published this song for the first time in 1917 in the seventh volume of "Lieder zur Laute".

Although it is in the form of a romantic lansquenet song, it’s intended to represent the helpless reaction of men who fell victim to poison gas on the battlefields of Flanders and north-eastern France.

Sources:
   • Der Tod in Flandern (Subtitulada en españo...  
   • Der Tod in Flandern [Landsknecht song][+En...  
   • 【Deu/Eng/中】Der Tod in Flandern  
   • RARE GERMAN WW1 FOOTAGE COLLECTION!!  
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Der_Tod_in_F...

Lyrics:
Der Tod reit't auf einem kohlschwarzen Rappen,
er trägt ein’ undurchsichtige Kappen.
Wenn Landsknecht' in das Feld marschieren,
läßt er sein Roß daneben galoppieren.
Flandern in Not!
In Flandern reitet der Tod!
In Flandern reitet der Tod!

Der Tod reit't auf einem lichten Schimmel,
schön wie ein Cherubin vom Himmel.
Wenn Mädchen ihren Reigen schreiten,
will er mit ihnen im Tanze gleiten.
Falalala!
Falalala!


Der Tod kann auch die Trommel rühren,
du kannst den Wirbel im Herzen spüren.
Er trommelt lang, er trommelt laut,
er schlägt auf eine Totenhaut.
Flandern in Not!
In Flandern reitet der Tod!
In Flandern reitet der Tod!

Als er den ersten Wirbel geschlagen,
da hat's das Blut vom Herzen getragen.
Als er den zweiten Wirbel schlug,
den Landsknecht man zu Grabe trug.
Flandern in Not!
In Flandern reitet der Tod!
In Flandern reitet der Tod!

Der dritte Wirbel ist so lang gegangen,
bis der Landsknecht von Gott sein'n Segen empfangen.
Der dritte Wirbel ist leis und lind,
als wiegt' eine Mutter in Schlaf ihr Kind.
Falalala!
Falalala!

Der Tod kann Rappen und Schimmel reiten,
der Tod kann lächelnd im Tanze schreiten.
Er trommelt laut, er trommelt fein:
Gestorben, gestorben, gestorben muss sein.
Flandern in Not!
In Flandern reitet der Tod!
In Flandern reitet der Tod!

English translation (by Dr. Ludwig):

Death rides on a coal black horse,
he wears an opaque cape.
When Landsknecht’ march into the field
he lets his horse gallop along.
Flanders in need!
Death rides in Flanders!
Death rides in Flanders!

Death rides on a light grey horse,
as pretty as a cherub from Heaven.
When girls dance their roundelay,
he wants to glide with them in the dance.
Falalala, Falalala.

Death can also stir the drum,
You can feel the drumroll in the heart.
He drums long, he drums loud,
He drums on a dead’s skin.
Flanders in need!
Death rides in Flanders!
Death rides in Flanders!

As he hit the first drumroll,
the blood departed from the heart.
As he hit the second drumroll,
The Landsknecht got carried to the grave.
Flanders in need!
Death rides in Flanders!
Death rides in Flanders!

The third drumroll lasted so long,
Until the Landsknecht got his blessing from God.
The third drumroll is quiet and gentle,
As if a mother rocks her child into sleep.
Falalala, Falalala.

Death can ride black and grey horses,
Death can smile while dancing.
He drums loud, he drums gently:
Deceased, deceased, deceased all must be!
Flanders in need!
Death rides in Flanders!
Death rides in Flanders!

#drludwig #germany #germany #landsknechts #flanders