Would you like to hear the story of
a girl that many soldiers know
it's a tale of love and all its glory
they tell when the lights are soft and low
underneath the lamp post by the barrack's gate
standing all alone every night you see her wait
she waits for the boy who marched away
and though he's gone she hears him say
"oh promise you'll be true fare thee well lili marlene till i'll return to you
fare thee well lili marlene"
with the kiss she gave her promise
to be constant as the stars up above
every soldier knows she kept her promise
and she has been faithful to her love
(underneath the lamp post by the barrack's gate
standing all alone every night you see her wait
for this is the place a vow was made and breezes sing her serenade)
oh promise you'll be true fare thee well lily marlene till i'll return to you
fare thee well lily marlene
Although each tale must have an ending
no one knows just what the end will be
but tonight when twilight is descending
if you'll come along here's what you'll see
underneath the lamp post by the barrack's gate
standing all alone every night you see her wait
and as they go marching to the prey
the soldiers all salute and say
"we'll tell him you've been true.
fare thee well lili marlene till he returns to you
fare thee well lili marlene"