The original version of the song written by Hans Leip (lyrics) and Norbert Schulze (music),performed by Lale Andersen on the November 1939 recording (Elecrola EG 6993) re-released in 1941 by His Masters Voice (Hungary) as HU 337, played on a HMV 104 gramophone. This particular record was played by Radio Belgrade in 1941, and the song quickly became popular with soldiers of all nations on both sides of the North African front, evoking the same emotions, irrespective of the side and cause they were fighting for.
