“Erika” is a German military marching song. The song was composed by Herms Niel in the 1930s, and it soon came into usage by the Wehrmacht (Armed Forces), especially the Heer (Army) and, to a lesser extent, the Kriegsmarine (Navy).
“Erika” is a common German female name and is the German word for heather, a common German wildflower.
The lyrics and melody of the song were written by Herms Niel, a German composer of marches. The exact year of the song’s origin is not known; often the date is given as “about 1930”. The song was originally published in 1938 by the publishing firm Louis Oertel in Großburgwedel. It had been popular since before the start of World War II.
Niel joined the NSDAP – National Socialist German Workers’ Party, Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei (abbreviated NSDAP), commonly referred to in English as the Nazi Party in early May 1933.
He became a leading Kapellmeister (Choir Master) at the Reichsarbeitdienst (Reichs Work Service), and created numerous marches.
After each line, and before each time the name Erika is sung, there is a pause of three beats, which is filled by the sound of the the kettledrum, or the sound of marching soldiers, shown as (xxx) below.
“Erika” • “Heather”
Deutsches Bundeswehr • German Federal Armed Forces • 1955 – Present
Lyrics and Translation
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, zarter Duft entströmt dem Blütenkleid. Auf der Heide blüht ein kleines Blümelein (xxx) und das heißt: (xxx) Erika. (xxx)
In der Heimat wohnt ein kleines Mägdelein (xxx)
In mein’m Kämmerlein blüht auch ein Blümelein (xxx) |
On the heath, there blooms a little flower and it’s called Erika. Eagerly a hundred thousand little bees, swarm around Erika. For her heart is full of sweetness, a tender scent escapes her blossom-gown. On the heath, there blooms a little flower and it’s called Erika.
Back at home, there lives a little maiden
In my room, there also blooms a little flower |