"Erika" Marching Song

Accession Number: 2022.02.9.1

Historical background: Erika is a German marching song. It is mainly associated with Nazi Germany. The marching song is from the perspective of a soldier who is longing for his sweetheart back home. The theme of the song is based on Erika being both a common German female name and the Latin name (Erica) of the heather plant that grows on the heath. Erika was composed by Herms Neil. The exact year of the song’s origin is unknown as it had been popular before the war. The song was published in 1938. In the 1993 Stephen Spielberg film Schindler’s List, German troops are singing Erika as they march into Krakow.

The postcard only features the first stanza of the song. The full song is written below.

Erika

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 home, there lives a blonde 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 violet,
I sing her this song in greeting.
On the heath, there blooms a little flower
and it’s called … Erika.

In my room, there also blooms a little flower
and it’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 fiancée/bride?”
Back at home, a maiden weeps for you
and she’s called … Erika.

“Erika” Marching Song

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