Peat Bog Soldiers song lyrics and guitar chords
I have included the English and German versions as the song originated in Germany. Sheet Music and tin whistle notes Below. Recorded by The Dubliners, Paul Robeson and Pete Seeger. The chords are by Marc Fahrbach. The English version here is sang by Luke Kelly with The Dubliners, the German version is by Hannes Wader. The song dates from 1933 just after Adolf Hitler had come to power and it was written in the concentration camp Boergermoor. The latter was not one of those death camp like Auschwitz but one of that kind where prisoners (mostly political ones in those early days) where forced to hard labour, in this case digging turf in the bog. The song, named 'Die Moorsoldaten' went over the borders and got known in many other countries as well. It was also translated to foreign languages, including English (here it's named Peat Bog Soldiers) More German Lyrics And Chords .
Peat Bog Soldiers is one of Europe's best-known protest songs. It exists in countless European languages, became a Republican anthem during the Spanish Civil War; was a symbol of resistance during the Second World War; and is popular with the Peace movement today. What makes it perhaps so poignant is the knowledge that is was written, composed and first performed in 1933 in a Nazi concentration camp by the prisoners themselves.
Amonst others this song was recorded by the German folk musician Hannes Wader. The Englsih version given here is a shortened one with only three verses of the original six.
Amonst others this song was recorded by the German folk musician Hannes Wader. The Englsih version given here is a shortened one with only three verses of the original six.
(Em)Far and wide as the eye can wander,
(Am)Heath and (Em)bog are (B7)every(Em)where.
(G)Not a bird sings out to cheer us.
(Am)Oaks are (Em)standing (B7)gaunt and (Em)bare.
Chorus
(D7)We (G)are the peat bog (D)soldiers,
(Em)Marching with our (B7)spades to the (Em)moor.
(D7)We (G)are the peat bog (D)soldiers,
(Em)Marching with our (B7)spades to the (Em)moor.
(Em)Up and down the guards are marching,
(Am)No one, (Em)no one (B7)can get (Em)through.
(G)Flight would mean a sure death facing,
(Am)Guns and (Em)barbed wire (B7)block our (Em)view.
Chorus
(Em)But for us there is no complaining,
(Am)Winter (Em)will in (B7)time be (Em)past.
(G)One day we shall rise rejoicing.
(Am)Homeland, (Em)dear, you're (B7)mine at (Em)last.
(Am)Heath and (Em)bog are (B7)every(Em)where.
(G)Not a bird sings out to cheer us.
(Am)Oaks are (Em)standing (B7)gaunt and (Em)bare.
Chorus
(D7)We (G)are the peat bog (D)soldiers,
(Em)Marching with our (B7)spades to the (Em)moor.
(D7)We (G)are the peat bog (D)soldiers,
(Em)Marching with our (B7)spades to the (Em)moor.
(Em)Up and down the guards are marching,
(Am)No one, (Em)no one (B7)can get (Em)through.
(G)Flight would mean a sure death facing,
(Am)Guns and (Em)barbed wire (B7)block our (Em)view.
Chorus
(Em)But for us there is no complaining,
(Am)Winter (Em)will in (B7)time be (Em)past.
(G)One day we shall rise rejoicing.
(Am)Homeland, (Em)dear, you're (B7)mine at (Em)last.
DIE MOORSOLDATEN Guitar Chords And Lyrics 4/4
Das Lied wurde 1933 im Konzentrationslager Börgermoor geschrieben. Dort waren Tausende von Nazi-Gegnern interniert und mussten harte Zwangsarbeit leisten, zum Beispiel im Moor arbeiten.
1. (Em)Wohin auch das Auge blickt.
(Am)Moor und (Em)Heide (B7)nur rings(Em)um.
(G)Vogelsang uns nicht erquickt,
(Am)Eichen (Em)stehen (B7)kahl und (Em)krumm.
Chorus
(D7)Wir (G)sind die Moorsol(D)daten
und (Em)ziehen mit dem (B7)Spaten ins (Em)Moor!
(D7)Wir (G)sind die Moorsol(D)daten
und (Em)ziehen mit dem (B7)Spaten ins (Em)Moor!
2. (Em)Hier in dieser öden Heide
(Am)ist das (Em)Lager (B7)aufge(Em)baut,
(G)wo wir fern von jeder Freude
(Am)hinter (Em)Stachel(B7)draht ver(Em)staut.
3. (Em)Morgens ziehen die Kolonnen
(Am)in das (Em)Moor zur (B7)Arbeit (Em)hin,
(G)graben bei dem Brand der Sonne,
(Am)doch zur (Em)Heimat (B7)steht der (Em)Sinn.
4. (Em)Heimwärts, heimwärts! Jeder sehnet
(Am)sich nach (Em)Eltern, (B7)Weib und (Em)Kind.
(G)Manche Brust ein Seufzer dehnet,
(Am)weil wir (Em)hier ge(B7)fangen (Em)sind.
5. (Em)Auf und nieder geh´n die Posten,
(Am)keiner, (Em)keiner (B7)kann hin(Em)durch,
(G)Flucht wird nur das Leben kosten,
(Am)vierfach (Em)ist um(B7)zäunt die (Em)Burg.
6. (Em)Doch für uns gibt es kein Klagen,
(Am)ewig (Em)kann´s nicht (B7)Winter (Em)sein.
(G)Einmal werden froh wir sagen:
(Am)Heimat, (Em)Du bist (B7)wieder (Em)mein!
(D7)Dann (G)ziehn die Moor(D)soldaten
(Em)nicht mehr mit dem (B7)Spaten ins (Em)Moor!
(D7)Dann (G)ziehn die Moor(D)soldaten
(Em)nicht mehr mit dem (B7)Spaten ins (Em)Moor!
“The Peatbog Soldiers” (German: Die Moorsoldaten) is one of the most haunting and beautiful labor songs of the 20th century.
It’s in A minor, written in 2/4 march time, and sounds wonderful with either a steady march strum or slow arpeggiated picking that captures its somber, defiant tone.
Below you’ll find both a strumming pattern and a fingerpicking tab to accompany your ABC melody and lyrics.
🎶 “The Peatbog Soldiers” — Guitar Accompaniment
Key: A minor
Time: 2/4 (march feel)
Tempo: ♩ = 88–96
Tuning: Standard (EADGBE)
🎸 1️⃣ STRUMMING PATTERN (March Rhythm)
Because it’s in 2/4, you want a left-right marching pulse — firm but not heavy.
Pattern: ↓ ↓ ↑
Count it as:
1 & 2 &
↓ ↓ ↑
On beat 1, strike the bass note (root note).
On beat 2, do a soft down-up on the higher strings.
Keep it steady, like boots on the ground — no swing.
Example (Am chord):
e|--0---0---0---0---|
B|--1---1---1---1---|
G|--2---2---2---2---|
D|--2---2---2---2---|
A|--0----------------|
E|-------------------|
↓ ↓ ↑ ↓ ↓ ↑
🎵 2️⃣ CHORDS USED
Chord Fingering Notes
Am x02210 A minor (home chord)
C x32010 adds lift at the phrase ends
F 133211 or use Fmaj7 (x33210) for easier grip
G 320003
E 022100 major color for final line
Dm xx0231 optional variation
🎼 3️⃣ CHORD PROGRESSION (Matching your ABC lines)
Section Lyrics Chords
1 Far and wide as the eye can wander Am – C – F – Am
2 Heath and bog are everywhere F – G – C – Am
3 Not a bird sings out to cheer us Am – E – Am – F
4 Oaks are standing gaunt and bare Bdim (or Bm7♭5) – G – Am – F
5 We are the peatbog soldiers Am – G – Am – F
6 Marching with our spades to the moor G – C – F – Am
🎸 4️⃣ FINGERPICKING PATTERN (2/4 Arpeggio Style)
Use a two-beat arpeggio pattern to simulate the march while keeping it flowing.
P – i – m – a
Count:
1 2
P i m a
Thumb (P) plays bass root each measure,
Index (i), Middle (m), Ring (a) pick G–B–E strings in sequence.
Example (A minor)
Am
e|---------0-----|
B|-------1-------|
G|-----2---------|
D|---2-----------|
A|-0-------------|
E|---------------|
P i m a
Example (F)
F
e|---------1-----|
B|-------1-------|
G|-----2---------|
D|---3-----------|
A|-3-------------|
E|---------------|
🎵 5️⃣ FULL GUITAR TAB — 1st Verse Example
“Far and wide as the eye can wander, heath and bog are everywhere…”
Am C
e|---------0-----0---------|---------0-----0---------|
B|-------1-----1-----------|-------1-----1-----------|
G|-----2-----2-------------|-----0-----0-------------|
D|---2---------------------|---2---------------------|
A|-0-----------------------|-3-----------------------|
E|-------------------------|-------------------------|
Far and wide as the eye can wander,
F Am
e|---------1-----1---------|---------0-----0---------|
B|-------1-----1-----------|-------1-----1-----------|
G|-----2-----2-------------|-----2-----2-------------|
D|---3---------------------|---2---------------------|
A|-3-----------------------|-0-----------------------|
E|-------------------------|-------------------------|
Heath and bog are ev-’ry-where.
F G
e|---------1-----1---------|---------3-----3---------|
B|-------1-----1-----------|-------0-----0-----------|
G|-----2-----2-------------|-----0-----0-------------|
D|---3---------------------|---0---------------------|
A|-3-----------------------|-------------------------|
E|-------------------------|-3-----------------------|
Not a bird sings out to cheer us.
C Am
e|---------0-----0---------|---------0-----0---------|
B|-------1-----1-----------|-------1-----1-----------|
G|-----0-----0-------------|-----2-----2-------------|
D|---2---------------------|---2---------------------|
A|-3-----------------------|-0-----------------------|
E|-------------------------|-------------------------|
Oaks are standing gaunt and bare.
“We are the peatbog soldiers, marching with our spades to the moor…”
Am G
e|---------0-----0---------|---------3-----3---------|
B|-------1-----1-----------|-------0-----0-----------|
G|-----2-----2-------------|-----0-----0-------------|
D|---2---------------------|---0---------------------|
A|-0-----------------------|-------------------------|
E|-------------------------|-3-----------------------|
We are the peatbog soldiers
F Am
e|---------1-----1---------|---------0-----0---------|
B|-------1-----1-----------|-------1-----1-----------|
G|-----2-----2-------------|-----2-----2-------------|
D|---3---------------------|---2---------------------|
A|-3-----------------------|-0-----------------------|
E|-------------------------|-------------------------|
Marching with our spades to the moor.
“The Peatbog Soldiers” (German: Die Moorsoldaten) is one of the most haunting and beautiful labor songs of the 20th century.
It’s in A minor, written in 2/4 march time, and sounds wonderful with either a steady march strum or slow arpeggiated picking that captures its somber, defiant tone.
Below you’ll find both a strumming pattern and a fingerpicking tab to accompany your ABC melody and lyrics.
🎶 “The Peatbog Soldiers” — Guitar Accompaniment
Key: A minor
Time: 2/4 (march feel)
Tempo: ♩ = 88–96
Tuning: Standard (EADGBE)
🎸 1️⃣ STRUMMING PATTERN (March Rhythm)
Because it’s in 2/4, you want a left-right marching pulse — firm but not heavy.
Pattern: ↓ ↓ ↑
Count it as:
1 & 2 &
↓ ↓ ↑
On beat 1, strike the bass note (root note).
On beat 2, do a soft down-up on the higher strings.
Keep it steady, like boots on the ground — no swing.
Example (Am chord):
e|--0---0---0---0---|
B|--1---1---1---1---|
G|--2---2---2---2---|
D|--2---2---2---2---|
A|--0----------------|
E|-------------------|
↓ ↓ ↑ ↓ ↓ ↑
🎵 2️⃣ CHORDS USED
Chord Fingering Notes
Am x02210 A minor (home chord)
C x32010 adds lift at the phrase ends
F 133211 or use Fmaj7 (x33210) for easier grip
G 320003
E 022100 major color for final line
Dm xx0231 optional variation
🎼 3️⃣ CHORD PROGRESSION (Matching your ABC lines)
Section Lyrics Chords
1 Far and wide as the eye can wander Am – C – F – Am
2 Heath and bog are everywhere F – G – C – Am
3 Not a bird sings out to cheer us Am – E – Am – F
4 Oaks are standing gaunt and bare Bdim (or Bm7♭5) – G – Am – F
5 We are the peatbog soldiers Am – G – Am – F
6 Marching with our spades to the moor G – C – F – Am
🎸 4️⃣ FINGERPICKING PATTERN (2/4 Arpeggio Style)
Use a two-beat arpeggio pattern to simulate the march while keeping it flowing.
P – i – m – a
Count:
1 2
P i m a
Thumb (P) plays bass root each measure,
Index (i), Middle (m), Ring (a) pick G–B–E strings in sequence.
Example (A minor)
Am
e|---------0-----|
B|-------1-------|
G|-----2---------|
D|---2-----------|
A|-0-------------|
E|---------------|
P i m a
Example (F)
F
e|---------1-----|
B|-------1-------|
G|-----2---------|
D|---3-----------|
A|-3-------------|
E|---------------|
🎵 5️⃣ FULL GUITAR TAB — 1st Verse Example
“Far and wide as the eye can wander, heath and bog are everywhere…”
Am C
e|---------0-----0---------|---------0-----0---------|
B|-------1-----1-----------|-------1-----1-----------|
G|-----2-----2-------------|-----0-----0-------------|
D|---2---------------------|---2---------------------|
A|-0-----------------------|-3-----------------------|
E|-------------------------|-------------------------|
Far and wide as the eye can wander,
F Am
e|---------1-----1---------|---------0-----0---------|
B|-------1-----1-----------|-------1-----1-----------|
G|-----2-----2-------------|-----2-----2-------------|
D|---3---------------------|---2---------------------|
A|-3-----------------------|-0-----------------------|
E|-------------------------|-------------------------|
Heath and bog are ev-’ry-where.
F G
e|---------1-----1---------|---------3-----3---------|
B|-------1-----1-----------|-------0-----0-----------|
G|-----2-----2-------------|-----0-----0-------------|
D|---3---------------------|---0---------------------|
A|-3-----------------------|-------------------------|
E|-------------------------|-3-----------------------|
Not a bird sings out to cheer us.
C Am
e|---------0-----0---------|---------0-----0---------|
B|-------1-----1-----------|-------1-----1-----------|
G|-----0-----0-------------|-----2-----2-------------|
D|---2---------------------|---2---------------------|
A|-3-----------------------|-0-----------------------|
E|-------------------------|-------------------------|
Oaks are standing gaunt and bare.
“We are the peatbog soldiers, marching with our spades to the moor…”
Am G
e|---------0-----0---------|---------3-----3---------|
B|-------1-----1-----------|-------0-----0-----------|
G|-----2-----2-------------|-----0-----0-------------|
D|---2---------------------|---0---------------------|
A|-0-----------------------|-------------------------|
E|-------------------------|-3-----------------------|
We are the peatbog soldiers
F Am
e|---------1-----1---------|---------0-----0---------|
B|-------1-----1-----------|-------1-----1-----------|
G|-----2-----2-------------|-----2-----2-------------|
D|---3---------------------|---2---------------------|
A|-3-----------------------|-0-----------------------|
E|-------------------------|-------------------------|
Marching with our spades to the moor.
