Lyrics
Would you like to hear the story of
Introducing the story
A girl that many soldiers know
Refers to a girl known by many soldiers
It's a tale of love and all its glory
Describes the story as a tale of love and glory
They tell when the lights are soft and low
Narrates when the story is told, with soft lights
Underneath the lamp post by the barrack's gate
Setting the scene under a lamp post near barracks
Standing all alone every night you see her wait
The girl waits alone every night
She waits for the boy who marched away
She waits for a boy who marched away
And though he's gone she hears him say
Even though he's gone, she hears his words
"Oh promise you'll be true fare thee well Lili Marlene till I'll return to you
The boy's words, expressing love and a promise
Fare thee well Lili Marlene"
Repeating the farewell and the girl's name
With the kiss she gave her promise
Describes a kiss and a promise made
To be constant as the stars up above
Her commitment likened to the constant stars
Every soldier knows she kept her promise
Claims every soldier knows she kept her promise
And she has been faithful to her love
Emphasizes her faithfulness to her love
(Underneath the lamp post by the barrack's gate
Reiterates the scene under the lamp post
Standing all alone every night you see her wait
Repeats her nightly wait
For this is the place a vow was made and breezes sing her serenade)
Highlights the place of the vow and a romantic atmosphere
Oh promise you'll be true fare Thee well Lily Marlene till I'll return to you
Repeats the boy's words and the girl's name
Fare Thee well Lily Marlene
Repeating the farewell
Although each tale must have an ending
Introduces the idea of an ending for every tale
No one knows just what the end will be
Uncertainty about the ending
But tonight when twilight is descending
Sets the scene for the current moment in twilight
If you'll come along here's what you'll see
Invites the listener to see something special
Underneath the lamp post by the barrack's gate
Repeats the scene under the lamp post
Standing all alone every night you see her wait
Repeats the girl's nightly wait
And as they go marching to the prey
Describes soldiers marching to battle
The soldiers all salute and say
Soldiers salute and convey a message to the girl
"We'll tell him you've been true.
Soldiers assure the girl's fidelity to the absent boy
Fare thee well Lili Marlene till he returns to you
Repeats the farewell and the girl's name
Fare thee well Lili Marlene"
Repeating the farewell
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