Ich hatt' einen Kameraden Poem Analysis
"Ich hatt' einen Kameraden" (English: "I had a comrade") is a German-language poem written by Ludwig Uhland in 1809. It has since been set to music by Friedrich Silcher in 1825 and is commonly known as "Der gute Kamerad" (English: "The Good Comrade"). The poem has become an important part of German military tradition and is played at military funerals and memorial services to honor fallen soldiers.
The poem, consisting of four stanzas, tells the story of a soldier who has lost a comrade in battle. It explores themes of friendship, loyalty, and the grief of losing a fellow soldier.
The first stanza sets the tone for the poem, introducing the idea of camaraderie and brotherhood among soldiers:
Ich hatt' einen Kameraden,
Einen bessern findst du nit.
Die Trommel schlug zum Streite,
Er ging an meiner Seite
In gleichem Schritt und Tritt.
The speaker emphasizes that his fallen comrade was one of the best and that they fought side by side in battle, sharing the same pace and stride.
The second and third stanzas describe the moment when the soldier's comrade is fatally wounded:
Eine Kugel kam geflogen:
Gilt's mir oder gilt es dir?
Ihn hat es weggerissen,
Er liegt vor meinen Füßen
Als wär's ein Stück von mir
Will mir die Hand noch reichen,
Derweil ich eben lad'.
"Kann dir die Hand nicht geben,
Bleib du im ew'gen Leben
Mein guter Kamerad!"
The speaker recounts the moment a bullet comes flying towards them, unsure of who it will hit. When the comrade is struck down, he lies at the speaker's feet as if a part of him. Even in his final moments, the fallen soldier tries to reach out for his comrade's hand, emphasizing the strong bond between them.
The last stanza serves as a farewell to the fallen comrade:
Ich hatt' einen Kameraden,
Einen bessern findst du nit.
Die Trommel schlug zum Streite,
Er ging an meiner Seite
In gleichem Schritt und Tritt.
The poem returns to the first stanza's lines, reiterating the sense of loss and deep connection shared between the soldiers. The repetition of these lines reinforces the feelings of loyalty, friendship, and grief that permeate the poem.
"Ich hatt' einen Kameraden" is a poignant and emotional tribute to fallen soldiers, capturing the powerful bond between comrades in arms. Its themes of friendship, loyalty, and loss continue to resonate with audiences, making it an enduring part of military and cultural tradition in German-speaking countries.