Cross of Iron (1977 film by Sam Peckinpah)

Hänschen klein -Little Hans (Children song)

Source of Lyrics: http://ingeb.org/Lieder/Hanschen.html

DEUTSCH -English Version (Some Translation of my own, using web tools)
1. Hänschen klein -Little Hans
Geht allein -He has gone
In die weite Welt hinein. -Out to see the world alone
Stock und Hut -Staff and hat,
Steht im gut, -Look at that,
Ist gar wohlgemut. -He is in good spirits. (Couldnt find Wohlgemut)
Aber Mama weinet sehr, -But mommy broke down in tears
Hat ja nun kein Hänschen mehr! -Now she has Hans no more.
"Wünsch dir Glück!" -"Wish You Luck!'
Sagt ihr Blick, -Her eyes spoke instead,
"Kehr' nur bald zurück!" -Come back home soon!

2. Sieben Jahr -Seven years,
Trüb und klar -Cloudily and clearly,
Hänschen in der Fremde war. -Hans, far from home.
Da besinnt Sich das Kind, -The child changes his mind,
Eilt nach Haus geschwind. -Now to return home swiftly.
Doch nun ist's kein Hänschen mehr. -But now he's not litte Hans anymore
Nein, ein großer Hans ist er. -No, he is all grown up.
Braun gebrannt -Tanned brown,
Stirn und Hand. -Forehead and hand.
Wird er wohl erkannt? -Will they know this man?

3. Eins, zwei, drei -One, two, three
Geh'n vorbei, -Pass and see,
Wissen nicht, wer das wohl sei. -Don't know who this fine man might be.
Schwester spricht: -Sis says:
"Welch Gesicht?" -"Who is this?"
Kennt den Bruder nicht. -This is not the brother I know.
Kommt daher die Mutter sein, -Then along comes mother dear,
Schaut ihm kaum ins Aug hinein, -Barely sees his eyes so clear,
Ruft sie schon: -She calls out so:
"Hans, mein Sohn! -Hans, my son!
Grüß dich Gott, mein Sohn!" -God bless you my son!'


I think what the director is trying to do is to use Hans as an analogy for humanity, in our worldly pursuits and of our horrid actions such as war, has completely changed, lost our innocence you might say. But in the end, we must or can/should recognise who we are and acknowledge our past and move onward. It is mostly an anti-war film, as the main character, Steiner, an Iron Cross holder, tries to find solace and sanity in war, and he finds it in his fellow soldiers. Despite a friendly fire incident instigated by his CO wic killed his friends, he cannot escape his sense of professionalism, as he lead his CO against an incoming attack, to show him 'where the Iron Cross is grown' But this final act, is probably a desperate one, slowly losing grip of himself and reality