We're Going to Hang out the Washing on the Siegfried Line is a popular song written by Irish songwriter
Jimmy Kennedy, whilst he was a Captain in the
British Expeditionary Force during the early stages of the Second World War. The
Siegfried Line was a chain of fortifications along Germany's Western border, analogous to the
Maginot Line in France. The song was used as a morale-booster during the war, particularly up to and during the
Battle of France.
Lyrics
We're going to hang out the washing on the Siegfried Line.
Have you any dirty washing, mother dear?
We're gonna hang out the washing on the Siegfried Line.
'Cause the washing day is here.
Whether the weather may be wet or fine.
We'll just rub along without a care.
We're going to hang out the washing on the Siegfried Line.
If the Siegfried Line's still there.Mother dear, I'm writing you from somewhere in France
Hoping this finds you well.
Sergeant says I'm doing fine - a soldier and a half
Here's a song that we all sing
This'll make you laugh...
Parody
A mocking parody was written shortly after:
Ja mein Junge, das hast du dir gar zu leicht gedacht
Mit der, mit der zweiten Kriegsberichterkompanie
Bis zum Wäschetag, ja bis zum Wäschetag
In aller Herrgottsfrüh.
Mein Mädel, schenk' noch einmal ein
Und tanzt und trinkt die Gläser leer.
Denn wenn der große Waschtag wird gewesen sein
Kehr' ich heim, kehr' ich heim übers Meer.
Yeah my boy, you thought it would be too easy
With the, with the second war reporter company
Till laundry day, yes till laundry day
At the crack of dawn.
My girl, pour in again
And dance and drink up the glasses.
Because when the big laundry day had been,
I return home, I return home over the ocean.
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