Wir lagen vor Madagaskar
It is not certain that the song actually refers to an event from the Russian-Japanese War (1904/1905). The units of the Baltic Fleet (later renamed the Second Pacific Fleet), anchored in Latvian ports or partially abandoned, had to cover 18,000 nautical miles, before the decisive battle took place in 1905 on the island of Tsushima in the Sea of Japan. It ended with a devastating defeat of Russia.
It is easy to imagine the hardships and adversities faced by the sailors on the eight-month journey, especially as the Russian warships had to drive through the Kattegat, through the English Channel and around the Cape of Good Hope. Since Britain was not allied with Russia, the Russian fleet could not use the Suez Canal. The first and only way to stop on the way was Madagascar. Madagascar was then a French colony and France was the only ally of Russia. Repairs and other necessary work were carried out in the roadstead on the island of Nosy Be, a Madagascar offshore island. After a three-month compulsory break, the second united with the Third Pacific Squadron. During this time, typhus - not the plague - had broken out on a ship. Some of the dead were given a sailor's grave, other dead people remained on the island and were buried there after their death. Several years later, in honor of the events, a Russian monument was erected in Hell Ville, the ancient capital of the island.
The text of the song probably refers to this historical event. Wir lagen vor Madagaskar (We lay in front of Madagascar). The folk song collector and researcher Michael Zachcial suspects that the song spread about members of the Covenant Youth. It remains to be seen from where the covenants knew the song or whether it originated in their circles.
German lyrics:
Wir lagen vor Madagaskar
Und hatten die Pest an Bord.
In den Kesseln, da faulte das Wasser,
Und täglich ging einer über Bord.
Ahoi, Kameraden, ahoi, ahoi.
Leb wohl kleines Mädel, leb wohl, leb wohl.
Wir lagen schon vierzehn Tage,
Kein Wind in die Segel uns pfiff.
Der Durst war die größte Plage,
Dann liefen wir auf ein Riff.
Ahoi, Kameraden...
Der Langbein der war der erste,
Der soff von dem faulen Nass.
Die Pest gab ihm das Letzte,
Und wir ihm ein Seemannsgrab.
Ahoi, Kameraden...
Und endlich nach 30 Tagen,
Da kam ein Schiff in Sicht,
Jedoch es fuhr vorüber
Und sah uns Tote nicht.
Ahoi, Kameraden...
Kameraden, wann sehn wir uns wieder,
Kameraden, wann kehren wir zurück,
Und setzen zum Trunke uns nieder
Und genießen das ferne Glück.
Ahoi, Kameraden...
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