Ich hatt' einen Kameraden

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on a fountain in Speyer

"Der gute Kamerad" ("The good Comrade"), also known as "I had a comrade", is a traditional lament of the German Armed Forces. The text was written by the German poet Ludwig Uhland in 1809. In 1825, the composer Friedrich Silcher set it to music. "The Good Comrade" plays an important ceremonial role in the German Armed Forces and is an integral part of a military funeral. The song has also become traditional in obsequies of the Military of Austria and the Austrian firebrigades. It is also used to some degree in the French Army and the Chilean Army. When the song is played, soldiers are to salute, a custom shared only by national anthems. Occasionally the song is played at civil ceremonies, most often when the deceased had been affiliated with the military. It is also commonly sung at the funerals of members of a Studentenverbindung. Finally, the song is often played on Volkstrauertag, the German Remembrance Day, at memorials for the fallen.

Text by Ludwig Uhland	Translation
Ich hatt' einen Kameraden, Einen bessern findst du nit. Die Trommel schlug zum Streite, Er ging an meiner Seite \|: In gleichem Schritt und Tritt. :\| 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!" :\|	I had a comrade, you won't find a better one. The drum was rolling for battle, he marched at my side in the same stride. A bullet flew towards us is it meant for me or meant for you? It tore him away, he lies beneath my feet like a piece of myself. He wants to give me his hand, while I reload. "I can't give you my hand, rest in eternal life my good comrade!"