“J’Attendrai” – Rina Ketty (1938)

One of the most famous songs in Europe during WWII was recorded before the war began in 1938 by Italian-born singer Rina Ketty (whose birth name was Cesarina Picchetto).

The song tells of a woman’s faithful waiting for her lover to return. It is understandable how this song would appeal to soldiers in the field as they faced the daily horrors of war but were comforted by the thought of a steadfast loved one who would await their return after the war.

J’attendrai I will wait
Le jour et la nuit Day and night
J’attendrai, toujours I will wait always
Ton retour Your return

This record famously is played on a phonograph during a scene in the movie Das Boot, by request from the U-boat’s captain during a lull in the fighting due to a heavy storm.

This Pathé, by its label sticker, appears to have been purchased at a record store in Huy, Belgium. I believe it is the original pressing – and it is amazing that it survived the war and somehow made its way to an institutional collection in South Dakota, where I found it earlier this year.

While the sticker obscures the label, I love such historical ephemera and think it adds to its character and charm.