The Faithful Hussar

The Faithful Hussar is a German folk song that is sung in particular as a carnival song. However, the origin and date of origin are controversial.

The origin and history

A source wants to know that ( in Cologne, the son of the former Cologne Mayor, † 1831 Leverkusen - Bürrig born November 11, 1749) a handwritten text version from 1781 was in the estate of Caspar Joseph Carl von Mylius, he from Austria to to have brought Cologne. The proof was found after his death 1831st This version is shown to be the oldest ever.

Another source states that the piece had been recorded in 1825. As authors Heinrich Frantzen ( music) and his son Joseph " Jupp " Frantzen are often given, is said to have subsequently added to the text. Under this name, at least there is a GEMA entry. It also specifies the " public domain " (DP), which means that the piece for the registration period had already been copyright- free. The Cologne-based music publisher Gustav Gerdes OHG (now in Bergisch Gladbach) copyright has this to register in 1924, ie more than 100 years after the supposed origin.

The lyrics in the Cologne version and the version of Frantzen you find on this website

Effects and edits

The first release on vinyl in Germany comes from the Monaco, which brought out the hit under the title There once was a faithful hussar in 1912. A remained unknown German film called The Faithful Hussar came on April 17, 1954 in theaters, directed by Rudolf Schündler. The song is known inter alia from the final scene of Stanley Kubrick's " Paths of Glory " released in 1957, in a German prisoner of war, played by Kubrick's later wife Christiane, this song sings French soldiers and generated strong feelings among them.

Under the title The Faithful Hussar several American pop versions were released, including by Louis Armstrong (June 1956) and Vera Lynn (May 1957). Armstrong played the song on February 15, 1959 during his appearance in Stuttgart with the occupation of Louis Armstrong (trumpet ), Trummy Young ( trombone), Peanuts Hucko ( clarinet), Billy Kyle ( piano ), Mort Herbert (bass) and Danny Barcelona ( drums).