"Wenn die Soldaten" (When the Soldiers) is a popular German folk and marching song that focuses on the social impact and prestige of soldiers within a community.

: The lyrics depict soldiers marching through a town, attracting the attention and affection of "pretty maidens". It touches on the romanticized lifestyle of military service, featuring gifts like wine and meat from local women.

: The song eventually takes a poignant turn. Later verses describe the "flash of battle" and the sorrow of the women left behind. The final irony reveals that by the time the soldiers return home, the maidens they left have already married others, highlighting the transience of soldierly romance.

: The "three lilies" mentioned in the song are rich in symbolism. In European folklore, lilies often represent purity, but when found on a grave, they symbolize death and the soul's journey. The song tells of a soldier who sees three lilies growing on a grave and asks who is buried there, only to find it is his sweetheart.