Oktoberfest songs
"Lyrics, info and videos of the most popular Oktoberfest songs"
Part of the joy of Oktoberfest is standing up on the benches to sway, sing and chug along to drinking ditties.
Music is arguably as much a part of the festival as the liquid gold itself.
Every year Munich’s tabloid press names a new “Wiesn Hit” , a song which strikes a special chord with the festival's millions of visitors.
I’ve put together these three pages to guide you through the most popular songs played at the festival.
Each entry has an intro, YouTube rendition and lyrics in both German and English.
The songs are listed in no particular order.
All but a couple of the translations I’ve done myself as they aren’t available anywhere else on the Web. Consider this an exclusive!
 |
READY, MR MUSIC: Musicians do it with style at the Oktoberfest. Pic:© EPA |
Not all Oktoberfest songs are traditionally German, you know. A select few English-language shanties have also become classics.
You might be surprised to find out which ones, find out here at the page Oktoberfest songs in English.
So now, let there be music!
7. Bayern, des samma mir - Haindling
Handling might have reached their height of fame thanks to their musical antithesis.
This folksy band recorded Bayern, des samma mir (Bavaria, that’s what we are) in 1998.
It’s a straight-forward ode to Bavaria and its beer, sung in the Bavarian dialect with a throaty bass riff.
The song became a YouTube hit but perhaps not for what you’d expect.
Some wise guy cut a clip of Berlin death-metal rockers Ramstein with the music to Bayern overlaid.
It had many folk round here flopping about in fits of laughter. Ramstein liked it too, and now play their own version of the song at some of their concerts.
Here’s the original Bayern with a different video. This one shows a guy in lederhose dancing around his room. Simple and effective.
Lyrics to Bayern, des samma mir:
| German |
English |
| Bayern, des samma mir
Seid’s freindlich
-jawoi!
Seid’s freindlich hob I gsagt
–jawoi!
Seid’s freindlich hob I gsagt no amoi –jawoi
Mir kannst no a Weissbier bringa!
Bayern, des samma mir!
-jawoi!
Bayern, des samma mir!
-jawoi!
Bayern, des samma mir!
Bayern jawoi des samma mir!
Bayern, des samma mir!
Mir samma mir des samma mir!
Bayern, des samma mir,
Bayern und des bayerische Bier!
Bayern und des Reinheitsgebot,
des is unser flüssiges Brot!
Bayern des samma mir,
Bayern und des bayerische Bier!
Bayern, jawoi des samma mir!
(x4 Wiederholung)
Bayern und des Reinheitsgebot,
Bayern und des Reinheitsgebot...
Bayern des samma mir!
Seid’s freindlich! |
Bavaria, that's what we are
Be friendly
-yes!
Be friendly, I told you
-yes!
Be friendly I told you again
-yes!
You can bring me another white beer!
Bavaria, that's what we are!
-yes!
Bavaria, that's what we are!
-yes!
Bavaria, that's what we are!
Bavaria, yes that's what we are!
Bavaria, that's what we are!
That's what we are what we are!
Bavaria, that's what we are!
Bavaria and the Bavarian beer!
Bavaria and the Bavarian beer purity law,
that's our liquid bread!
Bavaria, that's what we are,
Bavaria and the Bavarian beer!
Bavaria, yes that's what we are!
(x4 repeat)
Bavaria and the Bavarian beer purity law,
Bavaria and the Bavarian beer purity law...
Bavaria, that's what we are!
Be friendly! |
Oktoberfest songs
6. Skandal im Sperrbezirk - Spider Murphy Gang
If you only learn one song for the Munich Oktoberfest, do yourselves a favor and make it this one.
Skandal im Sperrbizirk (Scandal in the Shut-down Zone) by Munich rockers the Spider Murphy Gang was an early eighties chart-topper and still the most popular rock anthem on the Wiesn.
Said scandal concerns Rosi, a Munich gal who’s in the service sector, that is to say, phone sex.
She skirts around the city’s anti-prostitution laws and keep sup her customer base by dutifully advertising in the local newspaper.
Some radio stations initially boycotted the song because of the use of the word “Nutten”, which translates to “bitches”, sluts” or “whores”.
The first line is a reference to an early Munich classic, see song No. 2 on the page More Oktoberfes songs.
Here's a high-energy rendition from 1989 – turn this one waaaaay up!
Lyrics to Skandal im Sperrbezirk
| German |
English |
Skandal im Sperrbezirk
In München steht ein Hofbräuhaus,
doch Freudenhäuser müssen
raus,
damit in dieser schönen Stadt
das Laster keine Chance hat.
Doch jeder ist gut informiert,
weil Rosi täglich inseriert,
und wenn dich deine Frau nicht liebt,
wie gut, dass es die Rosi gibt!
Und draußen vor der großen Stadt
steh'n die Nutten sich die Füße platt,
Skandal im Sperrbezirk,
Skandal im Sperrbezirk,
Skandal... Skandal um Rosi!
Ja, Rosi hat ein Telefon,
auch ich hab' ihre Nummer schon,
unter zwo-und-dreißig-sechzehn-acht
herrscht Konjunktur die ganze Nacht!
Und draußen im Hotel L'Amour
langweilen sich die Damen nur,
weil jeder, den die Sehnsucht
quält,
ganz einfach Rosis Nummer wählt!
Und draußen vor der großen Stadt
steh'n die Nutten sich die Füße platt,
Skandal im Sperrbezirk,
Skandal im Sperrbezirk,
Skandal... Skandal um Rosi!
Ja, Rosi hat ein Telefon,
auch ich hab' ihre Nummer schon,
unter zwo-und-dreißig-sechzehn-acht
herrscht Konjunktur die ganze Nacht!
Und draußen im Hotel L'Amour
langweilen sich die Damen nur,
weil jeder, den die Sehnsucht
quält,
ganz einfach Rosis Nummer wählt!
Und draußen vor der großen Stadt
steh'n die Nutten sich die Füße platt,
Skandal im Sperrbezirk,
Skandal im Sperrbezirk,
Skandal... Skandal um Rosi!
Skandal Skandal Skandal Skandal Skandal...
|
Scandal in the shut-down zone
In Munich there's a Hofbrauhaus,
But brothels have to move to the suburbs,
so that in this beautiful city
The vice has no more chances.
But everyone is well informed,
as Rosi inserts an advertisement daily,
and if your wife doesn't put,
it's so good that Rosi's there!
And outside of the big city
the bitches get flat feet,
Scandal in the shut-down zone,
Scandal in the shut-down zone,
Scandal, scandal over Rosi!
Yes, Rosi has a telephone,
I've got her number too,
under thirty-two-sixteen-eight
there's a boom throughout the night!
And outside in the Hotel L'Amour
the ladies only feel bored,
because everybody who is tortured by his longings
simply dials Rosi's number !
And outside of the big city
the bitches get flat feet,
Scandal in the shut-down zone,
Scandal in the shut-down zone,
Scandal, scandal over Rosi!
Yes, Rosi has a telephone,
I've got her number too,
under thirty-two-sixteen-eight
there's a boom throughout the night!
And outside in the Hotel L'Amour the ladies only feel bored,
because everybody who is tortured by his longings
simply dials Rosi's number !
And outside of the big city the bitches get flat feet,
Scandal in the shut-down zone,
Scandal in the shut-down zone,
Scandal, scandal over Rosi!
Scandal scandal scandal scandal
scandal... |
Oktoberfest songs
5. So ein Schöner Tag (Fliegerlied) - Donikkl
Still an Oktoberfest newbie, So ein Schöner Tag (Today is Such a Beautiful Day) is already a classic.
The reasons are twofold: firstly, it’s an Ohrwürm, the colourful German term meaning “ear worm” which denotes a tune that gets stuck in your head.
Secondly: hand movements! You see you can’t just learn the words to the Fliegerlied, you’ve gotta learn to pretend to swim, flex your biceps and jump along with the tune.
Very, very silly and heaps of fun.
Bavarian band Donikkl released the song in 2008 and a cover by singer Tim Toupet hit German top 10 the year after.
Here’s Toupet’s version.
Lyrics to So ein Schöner Tag
| German |
English |
So ein schöner Tag
(Fliegerlied)
Ich lieg gern im Gras und schau zum Himmel rauf.
Schaun die ganzen die Wolken nicht lustig aus?
Und Fliegt ein Flieger vorbei,
dann wink ich zu ihm rauf.
(Kinder: "Hallo Flieger")
Und bist du auch noch dabei,
dann bin super drauf.
Und ich flieg, flieg, flieg, wie ein Flieger
bin so stark, stark, stark,
wie ein Tieger
und so groß, groß, groß, wie ne Giraffe
so hoch uoh-oh-oh
und ich spring, spring, spring immer wieder
und ich schwimm, schwimm, schwimm
zu dir rüber
und ich nehm, nehm, nehm dich bei der Hand weil ich dich mag
und ich sag:
Heut ist so ein schöner Tag - la, la, la, la, la
(Wiederholung) |
Today is Such a Beautiful Day (Plane song)
I like to lay in the grass and look up at the sky.
Don't all the clouds look funny?
And a plane flies past,
and I wave up at it.
(Kids: "Hello plane")
And if you're there too,
then I feel fantastic.
And I fly, fly, fly, like a plane
am so strong, strong, strong
like a tiger
and so tall, tall, tall like a giraffe
and tall all-oh-oh
and I jump, jump, jump and keep on
jumping
and I swim, swim, swim
over to you and I take, take, take
you by the hand because I like you
and I say
Today is such a beautiful day - la, la, la, la, la
(Repeat)
|
Oktoberfest songs
4. Ein Prosit - unknown artist
A drinking ditty with murky origins.
This is the shortest song on the list and the one you’ll hear the most often at Oktoberfest.
Reason being that bands in each tent blurt it out every 20 minutes or so in an honest effort to help people get nice and lubricated.
And remind them why they’re at the fest – the Gemütlichkeit!
Though the best English translation is “coziness”, Gemütlichkeit goes a step beyond and encapsulates a feeling of social acceptance, belonging, being cheery and leaving your troubles at the door.
Whenever played you’re obliged to stand up with your beer Maß and sway along to the tune, toast with everyone at the table and drink at the end.
At festivals the song is often followed by a charge of “Schenkt ein, trinkt aus, schenkt ein, trinkt aus!” (I poured you one, drink it up, I poured you one, drink it up!).
An alternative closing phrase from the band leader is "Prost ihr säcke!" (Cheers, you pricks!), to which the crowd replies in unison "Prost du sack!" (Cheers, you prick!).
Drink it up.
Lyrics to Ein Prosit
German |
English |
Ein Prosit
Ein Prosit, ein Prosit
Der Gemütlichkeit
Ein Prosit, ein Prosit
Der Gemütlichkeit.
OANS ZWOA DREI! G'SUFFA! |
A Toast
A toast, a toast
To the coziness of it all
A toast, a toast
To the coziness of it all
ONE TWO THREE! DRINK UP!
|
Oktoberfest songs
3. Marmor, Stein und Eisen Bricht - Drafi Deutscher
An oldie, but a very, very goodie, Drafi Deutscher’s Marmor, Stein und Eisen Bricht (Marble, Stone and Iron Break) never fails to get my toes tapping.
This song is classic Schlager, a genre of catchy, sentimental pop beloved in Germany from the 1950s through to the seventies.
Deutscher (1946-2006) recorded the song in 1965 and it’s been an evergreen ever since.
He also recorded an English-language version which hit the US charts back in the day.
With his boofy hair, cocksure air and Elvis swing Deutscher had a hell of a stage presence as you'll see in the clip below.
I even love the host guy in this sequence, and the audience members, it's all just so wonderfully old-skool.
Eat your heart out, Lady Gaga, this is an entertainer!
Lyrics to Marmor, Stein und Eisen Bricht
| German |
English |
Marmor, Stein und Eisen Bricht
Weine nicht, wenn der Regen fällt
(Dam Dam, Dam Dam)
Es gibt einen der zu Dir hält
(Dam Dam, Dam Dam)
Marmor, Stein und Eisen bricht
aber unsere Liebe nicht
alles, alles geht vorbei
doch wir sind uns treu
Kann ich einmal nicht bei dir sein
(Dam Dam, Dam Dam)
Denk daran, du bist nicht allein
(Dam Dam, Dam Dam)
Marmor, Stein und Eisen bricht
aber unsere Liebe nicht
alles, alles geht vorbei
doch wir sind uns treu
Nimm den goldenen Ring von mir
(Dam Dam, Dam Dam)
Er war teuer dass sag ich dir
(Dam Dam, Dam Dam)
Marmor, Stein und Eisen bricht
aber unsere Liebe nicht
alles, alles geht vorbei
doch wir sind uns treu
Everybody now!
Marmor, Stein und Eisen bricht
aber unsere Liebe nicht
alles, alles geht vorbei
doch wir sind uns treu
|
Marble, Stone and Iron Break
Don't cry when the rain falls
(Dam Dam, Dam Dam)
There's one who sticks with you
(Dam Dam, Dam Dam)
Marble, stone and iron break
but not our love
everyting, everything comes to an end
but we'll go on
If I'm ever away from you
(Dam Dam, Dam Dam)
Think about it, you're not alone
(Dam Dam, Dam Dam)
Marble, stone and iron break
but not our love
everyting, everything comes to an end
but we'll go on
Take this golden ring from me
(Dam Dam, Dam Dam)
it was expensive I'll tell you that
(Dam Dam, Dam Dam)
Marble, stone and iron break
but not our love
everyting, everything comes to an end
but we'll go on
Everybody now!
Marble, stone and iron break
but not our love
everyting, everything comes to an end
but we'll go on |
Oktoberfest songs
2. Hände zum Himmel - Kolibris
"Wo sind the Hände?"
When you hear this rather rhetorical question at the Oktoberfest you’ve got to throw your drinks down and paws up.
The song Hände zum Himmel (Hands to Heaven) inevitably follows.
The tune comes from the Netherlands and was Germanised and made into a hit by Rheinland band Kolibris in 1999.
Though it’s played a lot at the Wiesn the song is even more closely associated with Germany’s other great blowout, the Karneval in Cologne.
The song pretty much sums up the mood at both fests – Wir feiern wie noch nie! (We’re partying like never before!)
This video features one of Austria’s great all-rounders crooning the tune.
Hans Hinterseer not only sings, acts and hosts television shows, he’s also a champion Alpine skier and won world cup gold back in the 1970s.
Lyrics to Hände zum Himmel
| German |
English |
Hände zum Himmel
Man muss die Feste feiern so wie sie fallen wo wir auch sind
Drum feiern wir bis morgen früh und alle machen mit
Hände zum Himmel, Hände zur Hölle und wieder
hoch hoch hoch zum Himmel
Hände nach vorne, Hände zur Seite und wieder
hoch hoch hoch zum Himmel
Hände zum Himmel, Hände zur Hölle
das machen wir bis morgen früh,
denn heute ist ein schöner Tag
wir feiern wie noch nie,
denn heute ist ein schöner Tag
wir feiern wie noch nie
Du schaust mich an und ich denke mir
mai Dirndl wie bist du schön
drum lad ich dich ein, denn so ein Tag
der sollte nie vergehn
Hände zum Himmel, Hände zur Hölle und wieder
hoch hoch hoch zum Himmel
Hände nach vorne, Hände zur Seite und wieder
hoch hoch hoch zum Himmel
Hände zum Himmel, Hände zur Hölle
das machen wir bis morgen früh,
denn heute ist ein schöner Tag
wir feiern wie noch nie,
denn heute ist ein schöner Tag
wir feiern wie noch nie
Wir gehen heut nicht nachhause und schon geht's wieder los
(2 Mal)
Hände zum Himmel, Hände zur Hölle und wieder
hoch hoch hoch zum Himmel
Hände nach vorne, Hände zur Seite und wieder
hoch hoch hoch zum Himmel
Hände zum Himmel, Hände zur Hölle
das machen wir bis morgen früh,
denn heute ist ein schöner Tag
wir feiern wie noch nie,
ja heute ist ein schöner Tag
wir feiern wie noch nie
wir feiern wie noch nie
wir feiern wie noch nie
wir feiern wie noch nie |
Hands to Heaven
You've gotta celebrate the festivals as they come
So we're partying untill the morning and everyone's taking part
Hands to heaven, hands to hell and again
high, high, high to heaven
hands to the front, hands to the side and again
high, high, high to heaven
Hands to heaven, hands to hell
we'll do it untill the morning,
coz today is such a beautiful day
we're partying like never before,
coz today is such a beautiful day
we're partying like never before,
You look at me and I think
golly girl, you're beautiful
so I buy you a drink, coz such a day
it should never end
Hands to heaven, hands to hell and again
high, high, high to heaven
hands to the front, hands to the side and again
high, high, high to heaven
Hands to heaven, hands to hell
we'll do it untill the morning,
coz today is such a beautiful day
we're partying like never before,
coz today is such a beautiful day
we're partying like never before,
We're not going home tonight and
then it starts again
(Second round)
Hands to heaven, hands to hell and again
high, high, high to heaven
hands to the front, hands to the side and again
high, high, high to heaven
Hands to heaven, hands to hell
we'll do it untill the morning,
coz today is such a beautiful day
we're partying like never before,
coz today is such a beautiful day
we're partying like never before
we're partying like never before
we're partying like never before
we're partying like never before
|
Oktoberfest songs
1. Ab in den Süden - Buddy vs. DJ The Wave
Reggae at the Oktoberfest?
Ab in den Süden (Off to the South) is about as close as you’re gonna come.
Sure, there are no deep-and-meaningful lyrics about Zion or fighting oppression in the lyrics, but I’d like to think the spirit of Bob Marley lives on in this song.
Austrian DJ Wave teamed up with Berliner “Buddy” in 2003 to create this breezy summer hit that’s kind of hard not to like.
Oktobefest bands sometimes play a tailor-made version to suit the scene.
Lines such as Sommer, Sonne, Sonnenschein (summer, sun, sunshine) are replaced with Hendl, Brezn, und a Bier (chicken, pretzel and a beer). You can find the full Oktoberfest lyrics about halfway down this page.
Here’s the original version.
Lyrics to Ab in den Süden
| German |
English |
Ab in den Süden
Ooh willkommen willkommen willkommen Sonnenschein
wir packen unsre sieben Sachen in den Flieger rein
Jaa wir kommen, wir kommen, wir kommen macht euch bereit
reif für die Insel Sommer, Sonne, Strand und Zärtlichkeit
Raus aus dem Regen ins Leben ab in den Süden,
der Sonne entgegen was erleben einen heben und dann bikinis erleben
Jetzt kommt es dick, mann, ich rette den tag
ich sag ab geht die party und die party geht ab und ich sag :
Eeh ab in den Süden, der Sonne hinterher, ejo was geht,
der Sonne hinterher, ejo was geht; ja ich sag,
Eeh ab in den Süden,
der Sonne hinterher, ejo was geht, der Sonne hinterher, ejo was geht
Sommer, Sonne, Sonnenschein
Sommer, Sonne, Sonnenschein
Sommer, Sonne, Sonnenschein
Sommer, Sonne, Sonnenschein
Sommer, Sonne, Sommer, Sonne, Sommer, Sommer, Sommer...
Ooh willkommen willkommen willkommen sonnenschein
den ganzen tag am strand ziehn wir uns die melonen rein
ja Tequila, Tequila, Tequila, Wonderbra
und heute nacht machen wir noch die ganze insel klar
Raus aus dem regen ins leben ab in den Süden,
der sonne entgegen, was erleben einen heben und dann bikinis erleben
Jetzt kommt es dick, mann, ich rette den tag
ich sag ab geht die party und die party geht ab und ich sag:
Eeh ab in den Süden, der Sonne hinterher, ejo was geht,
der Sonne hinterher, ejo was geht, der Sonne hinterher, ejo was geht
Nananananana...
Eeh ab in den Süden, der sonne hinterher, ejo was geht,
der Sonne hinterher, ejo was geht
ja ich sag, Eeh ab in den süden,
der Sonne hinterher, ejo was geht, der sonne hinterher, ejo was geht.
Eeh ab in den Süden, der sonne hinterher, ejo was geht,
der Sonne hinterher, ejo was geht - ja ich sag, Eeh ab in den süden,
der Sonne hinterher, ejo was geht, der Sonne hinterher, ejo was geht
Nanananananana... |
Off to the South
Oh welcome welcome welcome
sunshine
we're packing our seven things into the plane
Yeah we're comming, we're comming, we're comming get ready
ready for the island summer, sun, beach and tenderness
Out of the rain and off to the
south,
into the sun, do a few things, pick up a cold one and then check out the bikinis,
Now it's getting late, man, I'll save
day
I say "party harder" and the party gets harder and I say:
Eeh off to the south, the sun
afterwards, no matter what's up,
the sun afterwards, no matter what's up, yeah I say,
Eeh off to the south,
the sun afterwards, no matter what's up, the sun afterwards, no matter what's up,
summer, sun, sunshine
summer, sun, sunshine
summer, sun, sunshine
summer, sun, sunshine
summer, sun, summer sunshine,
summer, summer, summer
Ooh welcome welcome welcome
sunshine
the whole day on the beach we pull the melons in
yeah tequila, tequila, Wonderbra
and tonight we'll make the whole island clear
Out of the rain and into the life in the
south,
into the sun, do a few things, pick up a cold one and then check out the bikinis,
Now it's getting late, man, I'll save
day
I say "party harder" and the party gets harder and I say:
Eeh off to the south, the sun
afterwards, no matter what's up,
the sun afterwards, no matter what's up, the sun afterwards, no matter what's up
Nananananana...
Eeh off to the south,
the sun afterwards, no matter what's up, the sun afterwards, no matter what's up
Yeah I say, Eeh off to the south,
the sun afterwards, no matter what's up, the sun afterwards, no matter what's up,
Eeh off to the south, the sun afterwards, no matter what's up,
the sun afterwards, no matter what's up,
Yeah I say, Eeh off to the south,
the sun afterwards, no matter what's up, the sun afterwards, no matter what's up
Nanananananana... |
Untitled Document
Do you want to know more?
|
Got something to contribute? Pease do it here!
|
|
Explore Munich
