About the item:
This songbook is a historical artifact from the interwar period, tied to the German paramilitary group Der Stahlhelm. It reflects the cultural and ideological atmosphere of nationalist veterans’ organizations in Weimar Germany.
The Taschenliederbuch für den Stahlhelm (“Pocket Songbook for the Steel Helmet”) was a musical companion for Stahlhelm members, used during rallies, marches, and ceremonial events to foster unity and morale.
- The opening line, “Kameraden stimmt an…” (“Comrades, tune in…”), reflects its purpose: to encourage communal singing and reinforce a shared identity among members.
- These songbooks typically featured patriotic songs, military marches, and folk tunes, serving as a cultural tool to promote nationalist sentiment and group cohesion.
