Lili Marleen

(Lili Marleen)

To see these lyrics in the original Latin, click here.

Outside winter quarters,
At the decuman gate,
There was a well-worn lantern.
If the ancient thing will still be there,
We will meet there again;
Under the lantern we will stand,
At that far-off time, Lili Marleen.
At that far-off time, Lili Marleen.

["Olim" isn't easily translatable -- it means at a distance in time in either direction, as "altus" means a distance in vertical space.]

Our two shadows
Made one together.
We loved each other
And everyone saw it.
Everyone will see it again;
Under the lantern we will stand,
At that far-off time, Lili Marleen.
At that far-off time, Lili Marleen.

Then the guard said
That the signal had sounded loudly.
So to the camp
I had to return.
Therefore I bade you goodbye.
I would rather have been with you.
With you, Lili Marleen.
With you, Lili Marleen.

She has gotten to know
Your gait and your footsteps.
In the evening, she waits,
Having long forgotten me.
So, when I have been killed, who will stand there then
Under the lantern with you,
With you, Lili Marleen?
With you, Lili Marleen?

On a dull day,
When life is silent as the grave,
I hold in memory
How sweet your kisses were.
I come in the fog of night.
Beneath the lantern I stand alone.
At that far-off time, Lili Marleen.
At that far-off time, Lili Marleen.


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