Music: Heard about Lilli?

As a poignant little fräulein of a song, German-born Lilli Marlene had Axis and Allied troops alike seething and sighing over her during World War II.

Underneath the lantern, by the barrack

gate, Darling, I remember the way you used

to wait . . .

My Lilli of the lamplight, My own Lilli Marlene*

Last week, Lilli was making news again in England, and, with Victor, Columbia, Decca et al. catching up fast, she was about to do likewise in the U.S. Leading Britain’s hit parade for the sixth week was a simple little ditty bringing the story up to date. Lyricist Tommie (Under the Spreading Chestnut Tree) Connor, who had written a set of words for an English version of the original Lilli song, had figured that most of her wartime admirers were back home with wives of their own; so, with Songsmith Johnny Reine providing matrimonial music, he had made an honest woman of her too. Sample from their The Wedding of Lilli Marlene:

As she knelt where the candle-lights

were gleaming,

It seemed the choir sang soft and low, “Farewell my angel of the lamplight, We’ll always love you so”†

Just who got her, was purposely left a little vague.

* Copyright 1944 by Peter Maurice Music Co., Ltd. and Edwin B. Marks Music Corp. † Copyright 1949 by Leeds Music Corporation.