A 1939 popular song.
words and music by Mack David
The sheet music:
Accompaniment track:
Lyrics
- Would you like to hear the story
Of a girl that many soldiers know
It’s a tale of love in all its glory
They tell when the lights are soft and low
Chorus
Underneath the lamppost by the barrack gate
Standing all alone, ev’ry night you’ll see her wait
She waits for a boy who marched away
And tho’s he’s gone, she hears him say
“Oh, promise you’ll be true
Fare thee well, Lili Marlene
Till I return to you
Fare thee well, Lili Marlene
- With a kiss she gave her promise
To be constant as the stars above
Ev’ry soldier knows she’s a lonely Springtime
And she has been faithful to her love
Chorus
Underneath the lamppost by the barrack gate
Standing all alone, ev’ry night you’ll see her wait
For this is the place a vow was made
And breezes sing her serenade
“Oh promise you’ll be true
Fare thee well, Lili Marlene
Till I return to you
Fare thee well, Lili Marlene
- Summer soon gave way to Autumn
Then came Winter with his snowwhite beard
ONce again she faced a lonely Springtime
But night after nght she still appeared
Chorus
Underneath the lamppost by the barrack gate
Standing all alone, ev’ry night you’ll see her wait
And there in the lamplight it is said
A halo shines above her head
“Oh, promise you’ll be true
Fare thee well, Lili Marlene
Till I return to you
Fare thee well, Lili Marlene
- Tho’ each tale must have an ending
No one knows just what the end will be
But tonight when twilight is descending
If you’ll come along, here’s what you’ll see
Chorus
Underneath the lamppost by the barrack gate
Standing all alone, ev’ry night you’ll see her wait
And as they go marching to the fray
The soldiers all salute and say
“We’ll tell him you’ve been true
Fare thee well, Lili Marlene
Till he returns to you
Fare thee well, Lili Marlene
Sung here by Fred Feild: