FC St. Pauli Stops Playing ‚Heart of St. Pauli‘ as Stadium Anthem

FC St. Pauli will no longer play the song ‚Das Herz von St. Pauli‘ before home matches at the Millerntor Stadium. This decision concludes an ongoing discussion initiated by the club’s museum staff through their research.

Historical Context of the Decision

The removal of the song stems from the role of its lyricist, Josef Ollig, during the National Socialist regime and World War II. Research revealed that he served as a fighter pilot and war correspondent for Nazi propaganda.

Club’s Response

Club president Oke Göttlich acknowledged the emotional significance of the song for many fans, stating, „We understand that the song holds substantial emotional value for many people.“ However, he noted that discussions with fans indicated that the song could not currently serve as an anthem amidst ongoing debates.

Future Steps

FC St. Pauli plans to await the results of a scientific documentation regarding the song and its lyricist before continuing the discussion. Göttlich emphasized the importance of establishing a well-founded basis for any decisions, avoiding hasty conclusions. „We do not want to simply say ‚business as usual!'“ he remarked.

Background of the Song

‚Das Herz von St. Pauli‘ was performed by Hans Albers in the 1957 film of the same name. The FC St. Pauli museum has previously explored Albers‘ biography and is now also examining Ollig and composer Michael Jary’s backgrounds.

Prior to home matches, the song is played in a rock version by the band ‚Phantastix & Elf.‘ Afterward, fans continue to sing even without the recorded music.