Listen "Conversion"
Episode Synopsis
In the nineteen-forties, American and German soldiers had little in common. Except the lyrics to this song.
The lyrics come from one of the most popular poems of World War Two, Frances Angermayer’s “Conversion”. Denver Darling set it to music for this recording in nineteen forty-five. It tells the story of a soldier in a foxhole saying his very first prayer to God.
On D-Day a catholic chaplain found thirty copies of the poem on fallen US soldiers. Translated versions were also found on German soldiers.
Denver Darling was best known for his patriotic war songs like this one, but his biggest hit was Choo Choo Ch’Boogie, featured recently on Dancing with the Stars.
The lyrics come from one of the most popular poems of World War Two, Frances Angermayer’s “Conversion”. Denver Darling set it to music for this recording in nineteen forty-five. It tells the story of a soldier in a foxhole saying his very first prayer to God.
On D-Day a catholic chaplain found thirty copies of the poem on fallen US soldiers. Translated versions were also found on German soldiers.
Denver Darling was best known for his patriotic war songs like this one, but his biggest hit was Choo Choo Ch’Boogie, featured recently on Dancing with the Stars.
More episodes of the podcast Sound Beat
Let Me Call You Sweetheart
13/01/2026
Casey Jones
07/01/2026
Tell Tchaikowsky to Move!
03/01/2026
There be Sirens!
24/11/2025
Groovin’ High
21/11/2025
The Black Maria
08/10/2025
Atomic Cocktail
01/10/2025
Sousa’s “El Capitan”
21/09/2025
Happy Days Are Here Again
13/09/2025
If I Had A Hammer
06/09/2025
ZARZA We are Zarza, the prestigious firm behind major projects in information technology.