Toytown Germany

Horst Wessel was born 9th September 1907 in Bielefeld, Germany. He started on a university course in law but abandonded this when he fell in love with a former prostitute from Berlin. In 1926 he joined the Nazi party and became an SA storm trooper. At the tender age of 19 he was already a troop leader. His promising military career, and indeed his life, was cut short when he was fatally wounded during a domestic brawl on 23rd February 1930. The details of his death are not clear but it is assumed the fight involved either his girlfriend's former boyfriend or her former pimp.

[img]http://www.toytowngermany.com/munich/horst-wessel-song.jpg[/img]

Joe Goebbels, the Nazi propaganda chief, turned the death to his advantage and claimed Wessel was murdered by a Communist. Wessel inadvertently became a martyr in the Nazi party's struggle with their Communist opponents.

A poem Wessel had written was put to music and became the marching song of the SA and later the official song of the Nazi Party. The "Horst Wessel Song" also became the unofficial national anthem of Germany. This was the most famous Nazi marching song of the second world war. It was sung at public meetings and used as a musical background to the Nuremberg rallies of the 1930's.

Since the end of WWII Germany has been extremely sensitive about its Nazi legacy and all sorts of laws are in place to keep this element of society at bay. It is illegal to disseminate symbols of the Nazi party, such as the swastika for example. It is also illegal to sing Nazi anthems such as the Horst Wessel song in public. These laws are covered by the German Criminal Code §86 and §86a and offences are punishable by up to three years in jail or a hefty fine.

While it's OK to listen to Nazi songs in private, it is against the law to offer others the chance to download them via the Internet. Like this: Horst Wessel Song (Real Audio file, 305 Kb).

Indeed, in 2001 there was a big crackdown on the trading of Nazi songs over the internet. Cases were made against 103 German computer geeks and Nazi sympathisers.

A caveat to these laws is that propoganda may be legally disseminated if it's done in the name of historical education. And that is the excuse that TT is going to use when the Gestapo come knocking at the doors of TTHQ later this week.

For your reading pleasure (for historical educational purposes only) we list the lyrics to the Horst Wessel song below.

[img]http://www.toytowngermany.com/munich/horst-wessel.jpg[/img]

This song and other third reich marching songs can be bought on CD here: 3rd Reich Marches on CD

Horst Wessel Song lyrics - English translation
a.k.a. "Flags Raised High"

Flags high, ranks closed,
The S.A. marches with silent solid steps.
Comrades shot by the red front and reaction
march in spirit with us in our ranks.

The street free for the brown battalions,
The street free for the Storm Troopers.
Millions, full of hope, look up at the swastika;
The day breaks for freedom and for bread.

For the last time the call will now be blown;
For the struggle now we all stand ready.
Soon will fly Hitler-flags over every street;
Slavery will last only a short time longer.

Flags high, ranks closed,
The S.A. marches with silent solid steps.
Comrades shot by the red front and reaction
march in spirit with us in our ranks.

Horst Wessel Song lyrics - Original German
a.k.a. "Die Fahne Hoch"

Die Fahne hoch die Reihen fest geschlossen
S. A. marschiert mit ruhig festem Schritt
Kam'raden die Rotfront und Reaktion erschossen
Marschier'n im Geist in unsern Reihen mit

Die Strasse frei den braunen Batallionen
Die Strasse frei dem Sturmabteilungsmann
Es schau'n auf's Hackenkreuz voll Hoffung schon Millionen
Der Tag fur Freiheit und fur Brot bricht an

Zum letzen Mal wird nun Appell geblasen
Zum Kampfe steh'n wir alle schon bereit
Bald flattern Hitler-fahnen Uber allen Strassen
Die Knechtschaft dauert nur mehr kurze Zeit

Die Fahne hoch die Reihen fest geschlossen
S. A. marschiert mit ruhig festem Schritt
Kam'raden die Rotfront und Reaktion erschossen
Marschier'n im Geist in unsern Reihen mit

See also:Horst Wessel Lied - WikipediaHorst Wessel - Wikipedia

What are you doing Bob? If the German authorities see that you've put a link to that song, which according to your own words "it is against the law to offer others the chance to download them via the Internet. Like this:". Then you are just asking for it.
Is it really worth it to challenge German law? This ain't the US of A where free speech is guaranteed. Don't know 'bout British laws.

"This ain't the US of A where free speech is guaranteed."

Ahhh, that one made me spill my coffee and nearly choke on my morning Brezn'. Bless your naivety Ella. You are indeed a pure soul.

Surely Anon your sarcasm was misinterpreted or you're not familiar with the 1st Amendment. I am not too proud of many things about the US, not any more at least, but this is one of them.

But if you think America has true freedom of speech, or a fair judicial system Ella, you need to look a little more closely at things.

I agree with the Germans here. Even if it can be classified as 'educational', I think less-educated people will see it as a call for support or inspiring. There's a bit too much baggage for this one to be bandied about like a DJ Ötzi song.

Point is that everyone knew the words to be offended by. Its like the idea that flying the bavarian flag with just the blue and white diamonds is legal, but put the crest in the middle and its illegal (aber gedüldet) - obviously I'm just mentioning this for educational purposes

Bob, this really spoils your site. The Nazi era was not a joke. Are you unable to discern between laddishness and sheer bad taste? If you have any sense of responsibility you'll remove this.

Well Bob.

Despite some sensitivites already posted, I am not one of Historical know-how. I had a bad teacher at school and was never interested.

As I get older i get more interested in all the things I should know about and the war (and things connected to it) is obviously one of them.

I found your piece very well written in the sense that you told the story of the 'youths' and then explained why the police had to be called in cos they sang a song.

So much so that when i listened to it, I actually felt a bit like 'hope my neighbours don't hear it'.

I won't be putting my speakers at my open windows with it cranked up though.

"Inpired" I was to learn more, but "Supportive" I ain't for the Nazi regime.

Phil

i just think that it is a nice song.

'Deustchlandlied' is much more inspirational.

Beware of making the Nazi's a taboo, as this is how terribe events are forgotten, and eventually repeated

What the f**k is up with that link to BUYING the songs??

It works fine for me. If you're browsing from work, maybe the site is being blocked by a company proxy?

The song IS for educational purposes. You find reference to it everywhere. If you weren§t born before 1945 you ask yourself, "What song is that?" If the answer is, you§re forbidden to hear it, you have to wonder what is so powerful about it. In 2004, the words to the song are somewhat less than inspiring. The Internet, with its multi-media formats, is a perfect disseminator of INFORMATION. Now that I know what the song sounds like, I will recognize what the hell the skinheads are singing. Thank you.

I think you guys are threading dangerous water. The fact that you have a picture displaying the swastika can have your site shut down. BE CAREFUL

you cannot ignore history.didnt the nazis try to ignore certain historical facts? what next ? burn some books?

This is a great piece of musical craftmanship and a CLASSIC and reminds you of the bonds that would have existed between country men ( I don't mean the dark historical association with it ).
There is nothing wrong with having patriotic feelings for your own country. If people would believe more in integration and not seggregation we would not have ethnic isolations.
People who emigrate to other countries should respect this countries identity or get out, and not impose their personal or religious believes upon their country of choice. It's that simple.
And while I'm at it, terrorist scum should be executed.

i am your supporter (without violence)

Germany is too quick to deny all of its nazi past.

there are no "good and bad" in wars, just winners who write the history.