With great regrets do I realise, my lines describing the rendition of
'I had a comrade' at Bert's Birthday celebration were much too terse.
That song is not and was not presented as a "stirring military march"
The melody is a deeply moving one, bringing up strong feelings of sadness,
not a trace of an invitation to march.
The preceeding songs were ones typically played during oktoberfests, not
really military either. My mentioning 'marching' and 'military funerals' in
rather close proximity was unfortunate, leading some to draw conclusions I
had in no way intended.
The overriding moment was Bert's being close to tears presenting himself as
ordinary man with ordinary feelings, a gift from him to all who attended for
which I am very grateful.
Max
--- In ConstellationTalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "Max Dauskardt" <max@> wrote:
the bash is over
near the end the most touching moment:
a Tyrolean Lederhosen Wind and Brass Band
was giving a marching handclapping rendition
and then the last piece was announced as being Bert's special wish
they played 'I had a comrade' (Ich hatte einen Kameraden)
-played traditionally at military funerals-
Bert stood up afterwards
as close to tears as perhaps he was ever seen on stage
and said :'I had many comrades, they are with me'
