Erika (song)  "Erika" is a marching song used by the German military. The song was composed by Herms Niel in the 1930s, and it soon came into usage by the Wehrmacht, especially the Heer and, to a lesser extent, the Kriegsmarine. "Erika" is both a common German female name and the German word for heather (see also "Erica"), a common German wildflower. The lyrics and melody of the song were written by Herms Niel, a German composer of marches. The exact year of the song's origin is not known; often the date is given as "about 1930", a date that, however, has not been substantiated. The song was originally published in 1938 by the publishing firm Louis Oertel in Großburgwedel. It had been popular prior to the start of World War II. Niel, who joined the NSDAP in early May 1933 and became a leading Kapellmeister at the "Reichsarbeitdienst", created numerous marches. Songs like these were useful in keeping German soldiers entertained and was also used as a morale booster. After each line, and before each time the name "Erika" is sung, there are three beats pause, which are filled by the kettledrum, or stomping feet (e. g. of marching soldiers), shown as ("xxx") below.