Erika (song)

"Auf der Heide" redirects here. For the surname, see Aufderheide.

"Erika" (German: [ˈeːʁɪka] ^ⓘ), also known by its incipit "Auf der Heide" (On the Heath), is a German marching song with words and music by Herms Niel and published in 1938 during the Nazi regime.^[1][2] The song was then soon used as a soldier song by the Wehrmacht. According to British soldier, historian, and author Major General Michael Tillotson, it was the most popular marching song of any country during the Second World War.^[3]

Origins

The exact year of the song's origin is not known; often the date is given as "about 1930",^[4] but this has never been substantiated. The song was originally published in 1938 by the publishing firm Carl Louis Oertel [de] in Großburgwedel, a village northeast of Hanover, Lower Saxony, but it had been popular prior to that.^[5]

Music

"Erika" is both a common German female name and the German word for heather. After each line, and after each time the name "Erika" is sung, there is a three-beat pause, which is filled by the timpani or stamping feet (e.g. of marching soldiers), shown as (xxx) in the text below.

Lyrics

Erica tetralix, "Erika"

1. Auf der Heide blüht ein kleines Blümelein (xxx) und das heißt (xxx) Erika. (xxx) Heiß von hunderttausend kleinen Bienelein (xxx) wird umschwärmt (xxx) Erika. (xxx) Denn ihr Herz ist voller Süßigkeit, (xxx) zarter Duft entströmt dem Blütenkleid. (xxx) Auf der Heide blüht ein kleines Blümelein (xxx) und das heißt (xxx) Erika. (xxx) —(xxx) as before 2. In der Heimat wohnt ein kleines Mägdelein und das heißt Erika. Dieses Mädel ist mein treues Schätzelein und mein Glück, Erika. Wenn das Heidekraut rot-lila blüht, singe ich zum Gruß ihr dieses Lied. Auf der Heide blüht ein kleines Blümelein und das heißt: Erika. 3. In mein'm Kämmerlein blüht auch ein Blümelein und das heißt Erika. Schon beim Morgengrau'n sowie beim Dämmerschein schaut's mich an, Erika. Und dann ist es mir, als spräch' es laut: "Denkst du auch an deine kleine Braut?" In der Heimat weint um dich ein Mägdelein und das heißt Erika.[6]

On the heath, there blooms a little flower fine (xxx) and it's called (xxx) Erika. (xxx) Eagerly a hundred thousand little bees (xxx) swarm around (xxx) Erika. (xxx) For her heart is full of sweetness, (xxx) a tender scent escapes her blossom-gown. (xxx) On the heath, there blooms a little flower (xxx) and it's called (xxx) Erika. (xxx) Back at home, there lives a little maiden and she's called Erika. That girl is my faithful little darling and my joy, Erika. When the heather blooms in a reddish purple, I sing her this song in greeting. On the heath, there blooms a little flower and she's called Erika. In my room, there also blooms a little flower and she's called Erika. Already In the grey of dawn, as it does at dusk, It looks at me, Erika. And then it's to me as if it's saying aloud: "Are you thinking of your little bride?" Back at home, a maiden weeps for you and she's called Erika.

Controversy

• In June 2024, members of the University of Warwick Conservative Association sang and danced to this song during an annual event.^[7][8] University of Warwick representatives condemned the actions of the students.^[9] The association stressed that it was requested by a single member who was "no longer welcome", and apologised for any offence caused.^[10]