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Napoleons March

This march is remarkable for its joyous, rhythmic character. It was played in 1812 by the armies of Napoleon when they crossed the border near Prussia in their invasion of Russia. The Alter Rebbe had left his native town of Liadi when the armies of the enemy were approaching. He asked that the march be sung for him and, after a moment's contemplation, designated the march as a song of victory.

It is traditional with Lubavitcher Chassidim to sing Napoleon's march at the conclusion of the Ne'ilah service on Yom Kippur, before the sounding of the Shofar.

The singing of this melody symbolizes the victory of the Jewish people over "Satan" and that their prayers have been accepted and they are assured of a Happy New Year.

Music notes courtesy of Kehot Publication Society and Chabad Melodies by Eli Lipsker and Velvel Pasternak.

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Reader Comments
Latest Comments:

Posted: Oct 6, 2011

Alan

Personally, I do not know why you find anything so distasteful with the "world of Ashkanazim." On the contrary, I would never select a song based on the fact that it was sung for the European nations, the very people who either participated in or allowed the destruction of that very "world of Ashkenazim."

Posted By Gerson McGreevey

Posted: Oct 5, 2011

Napoleon's March

I do not care for this march to signify the end of Yom Kippur. The march represents the old vulnerable world of the Ashkenazim. The Rebbe knew this and becaome one of the only hasssidic rebbe to lead his followers to Eretz Yisrael. A better joyful singing expression to the end of the hoiy day wold be the Israeli song Halleluyah that won the Eurovision contest.

Posted By Alan Herman, Merrick, NY

Posted: Sep 2, 2010

forward march indeed

I am with Baruch Weiss of the Windy City.
I also at least hum the march when being discharged from the "house of Healing" (hospital) in victory.

Posted By michael pell

Posted: Nov 29, 2009

Rectification

Just to say that the native town of the Alter Rebbe a'h is Liozhna and not Liadi. (excuse my english , I'm french), as we can see in sefer hatoldoth, he used to be known as "der liozhner rebbe". Anyway a magnificent march.

Posted By Sholem, Paris, France

Posted: Sep 17, 2009

FOWARD MARCH!!

I love this march, I hope this will be the march we sing when we will go out of GALUS (Exile)

Posted By Baruch Weiss, Chicago , IL

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	Napoleons March
This march is remarkable for its joyous, rhythmic character
Topics: Music; Song (58), Nigun (167)