In the 19th century, the Lower Eastside housed more than 50,000 German immigrants. Going on a historic walking tour, we would sing “I goes to fight mit Siegel” at Tomkins Square Park:
I GOES TO FIGHT MIT SIGEL (1863)
Words by F. POOLE
MUSIC: The Girl I Left Behind
Ven I kums from Deutsche Countree
I sometimes works at baking;
Den I keeps a lager bier saloon
Und den I goes shoe-making;
But now I was a sojer been
To save the Yankee Eagle
To schlauch dem tam Secession volks
I goes to fight mit Sigel.
Ja, das ist true,
I speaks to you
I goes to fight mit Sigel.
Ve Deutschen mens, mit Sigel’s band
At fighting have no rival;
Und ven Cheff Davis mens we meet,
Ve schlauch ’em like the deivel;
Dere’s only one ting vot I fear
Ven pattling for the Eagle;
I von’t get not, no lager bier
Ven I goes to fight mit Sigel.
Ja, das ist true,
I speaks to you,
I goes to fight mit Sigel.