Remembering World War I
For over 80 years I’ve been haunted by a parody of a World War I song of which I remember a portion, but not all. This is the part of the parody I remember:
“My country tis of thee, I come from Germany, my name is Fritz. Give me some sauerkraut, don’t leave the weenies out…”
Does anyone know what comes next?
There was another song we used to sing: “Keep your head down, Fritzie boy. Keep your head down, Fritzie boy, If you wanna see your fadder in the fadderland…” It’s curious that there’s a note of kindness in this little dittie.
I would appreciate it if readers could help me by giving me more information on both of these songs.
Give me a glass of beer and I’ll stay here. My grandmother used to sing this. She was born in 1901.
Comment by S. Vette — July 5, 2008 @ 9:30 pm
Well, an internet search turned this up:
My country’s tired of me
I come from Germany
My name is Fritz
I love my sauerkraut
It makes my ears stick out
From every mountaintop
Let sauerkraut sprout
Comment by Alex — July 7, 2008 @ 3:05 pm
“Keep your Head down, Fritzie Boy” and its flip side, “What are You Going to do to Help the Boys” were recorded by Billy Murray and the American Quartet in 1918. Google these titles and you’ll find where you can hear them.
Jay
Comment by Jay Williams — August 28, 2008 @ 4:28 pm