La colonne (The column) is the regimental song of the French Foreign Legion’s only cavalry unit nowadays, the 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment (1er REC). The song is sung to the tune of the old German military song “Einst sind wir so freudig geritten”, which dates from the 19th century (1840). In Germany in the 1930s, the Nazi regime popularized the melody in its anthem, “Horst-Wessel-Lied” (also known as “Die Fahne Hoch”).

The La colonne song was heard for the very first time in the military community center in Sousse in Tunisia in 1926, the garrison town of the regiment at the time. It was sung once again on 1926 Christmas Eve, by a squadron choir. The lyrics were written by Maréchal des Logis Von Steffens [1]. The song was performed in choir by the whole Regiment for the very first time at Lalla Marnia (northwestern Algeria), in 1943. At the time, the 1er REC was freshly reorganized and equipped with the U.S. materiel.

1) This French cavalry rank is equivalent to the rank of sergeant.

1.
Une colonne de la Légion Étrangère
S’avance dans le bled en Syrie
La tête de la colonne est formée
Par l’Premier Etranger de Cavalerie

2.
Les Druzes s’avancent à la bataille
En avant légionnaires à l’ennemi
Le plus brave au combat comme toujours
C’est l’Premier Etranger de Cavalerie

3.
Un légionnaire tombe frappé d’une balle
Adieu mes parents mes amis
Toutes mes fautes je les ai expiées
Au Premier Etranger de Cavalerie

4.
Sur sa tombe une simple croix s’élève
Sur laquelle ces seuls mots sont inscrits
Il a servi honnête et fidèle
Au Premier Etranger de Cavalerie

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