Lot ist Tod – Old German Song ‘Lot ist Tod’ (Lot is Dead) is an old German folksong – popular as both a ditty style song and as an accordion dance tune amongst the pioneer German settlers. This version, collected from Marburg, is sung by Meta Neuendorff and played on […]
Music Samples
Hoch Munchen – Zither Duet
The stirring march tune ‘Hoch Munchen’ – a real zither classic, here played by the Bundaberg String band with zither player Robert Pukallus leading the melody line. Press Play for song preview.
German march – Bundaberg Apostolic Church of Qld String band
The Bundaberg String Band (Apostolic Church of Queensland) here plays a great old German instrumental piece. This tune is both complex in terms of instrumental arrangements and melody. The zither features as the centrepiece in this rendition. Press Play for song preview.
Zither Duet – Minuett
A beautiful Minuett tune – from the masters of the zither – Bundaberg players Paul Ohlson and Robert Pukallus. This lovely zither piece was composed by Paul Ohlson. Press Play for song preview.
Hoch Tirol – zither duet
A beautiful ‘Hoch Tirol’ zither tune – here played as a zither duet by the Bundaberg masters – Paul Ohlson and son-in-law Robert Pukallus. This rendition is equal to any of the masterful zither playing from the Europ[ean tradition. Press Play for song preview.
German Song – Trinken immer eine Tropchen
(Recorded Munduberra – 6 November 1992) Performed by Vera Woolf and her brother Alf Kuhn (on guitar) this duo sings the old German favourite Trinken immer eine Tropchen (Have Another Drink). This song was a real favourite throughout the rural German communities of southern Queensland. Press Play for song preview.
Low German Song – sung and played by Archie Niethe, Coominya
This low German song was a popular ‘wedding toast’ song found in the Lockyer Valley and Maryborough areas amongst the German communities. This example is spoken then sung and played on the squeezebox. No mentions of this song in German archives. Perhaps it is a good example of a unique […]
Doug Steffen’s mazurka
This beautiful old-time mazurka was played by Doug Steffens of Gatton. Doug and his brother Allan played for many of the earlier dances in the Lockyer Valley. I have only heard and recorded this very pretty mazurka tune once – that you hear from Doug. Played on the double-row Hohner […]
German Song – Schon Ist Die Jugend
This popular little German song was sung to me by Vera Woolf of Munduberra. Vera learnt this song from the older members of the German community in the central Burnett. Press Play for song preview.
Bundaberg Apostolic Church String Band
The Bundaberg Apostolic Church of Queensland string band was formed from the Baffle Creek zither band. Many of the older players moved to Bundaberg and a larger string band was formed in the 1940’s. This particular tune, Vienna Remains Vienna is one of the old favourites. Press Play for song […]
