This is a song written by Ludwig Uhland and it is the German song of farewell to a fallen comrade, the same as “Taps” is to the military of the American forces.

A new friend in Austria, Peter Stockner, has sent us the actual words to this beautiful song and when you are with us for the Ulrichsberg Memorial and the Austrian Army band plays this haunting melody with the rifle salutes over the meadow, it is easy to understand why so many old men have tears running down their cheeks as memories of fallen friends flood back to them.

I once had a fellow comrade,
You’ll never find a better one.
The drum beat to battle and
He went by my side,
Both the same – step by step.

A bullet came flying.
Is it my turn or is it yours?
It tore him apart from me.
He lays before my feet
As if he was a piece of me.

Still tried to reach my hand.
Meanwhile I am just loading.
“Can’t lend my hand to you,
remain in eternal life as
my fellow comrade”.