NAZI CRADLE SONGS

Evening Star, Issue 21638, 6 February 1934, Page 11

NAZI CRADLE SONGS

“ THE BAY OF VENGEANCE " I have collected the following facts about the doctrine now being taught in the German schools from a recent visit to the “third Deich,” states a correspondent of the London ‘ Observer.’ ; The new German school books, and, above all, the various songs now being taught to all children, including those in the kindergartens, speak of battle as the “ divine business ” of every German. : One of the most interesting, ‘ Freiheitslieder des Dritten Reiches,’ is edited by Franz Matschkewitz and Hans Werner, and on the title-page it states that it is published specially for the schools. This book contains songs about “ battle and war ’’ and about “ marching into the enemies’ land.” For children of eight and nine the book recommends a new school prayer (Schulgebete) for the “Fatherland and the good health of Adolf Hitler.” The prayer, written for the German school children by the Nazi, Friedrich Graf, of Nurnberg, ends by asking all to lift up their hands in honour of the “ day of just vengeance ” (der Tag gerechten Rache). Another song, greatly favoured by all teachers in the German schools of to-day, has the beautiful beginning; “ Do you see the Morning Star in the East?” Every verse of this song ends with the words: “ Nation to arms! Nation to arms!” (Volk ans Gcwehr-Volk ans Gewehr 1) Young and old, all must take up arms. Death to the enemy. Nation to arms; Nation to Arms! On the following page there is another song, in which the young boy explains to a girl that: “We must march on to-day beyond the gates of Home into the land of the enemy.” “ You must remain alone, dear girl, until we have defeated the enemy in his land. Then wo shall return home and enjoy pence.” “ To-morrow we march into the enemies’ land ” is another song all German school children are made to sing. It is on page 26 of the school book. The song goes on to say that “ a blood red light calls up to fight,” and that whether “ we fall in the West or East, whether we return or not, to-morrow we march into the enemy’s land.’’ There is, however, on page 36 of the book another song which is worth quoting more fully : It sounds like a legend of bygone times About German greatness, about German spendour, The swords are now broken, destroyed her army, And our proud sea-power sunk in the sea.. Remember about that, remember about that, remember about that What the enemy has done to us. The day is coming, the day is coming, the day is coining When the sun of freedom will shine, Then you grip the arm and gun, fight for Germany’s holy honour. Remember that, remember that, remember that. ♦