This week’s video is a fan-created montage of scenes from Stanley Kubrick‘s Paths of Glory (1957), introduced by and set to the song sung in the final scene of the film, “The Faithful Hussar.” For me it truly captures the spirit of the film in a nutshell.

The reluctant singer of the song, who rises above her humiliation and moves her audience (including us) in a wholly unexpected way, is the future Christiane Kubrick, here billed as Susanne Christian. The filming of Paths may have been chaotic, but both Timothy and Kubrick returned home with German brides. Sometimes chaos brings unexpected benefits!

Here are the lyrics of “The Faithful Hussar,” translated into English:

A faithful soldier, without fear,

He loved his girl for one whole year,

For one whole year and longer yet,

His love for her, he’d ne’er forget.

This youth to foreign land did roam,

While his true love, fell ill at home.

Sick unto death, she no one heard.

Three days and nights she spoke no word.

And when the youth received the news,

That his dear love, her life may lose,

He left his place and all he had,

To see his love, went this young lad…

He took her in his arms to hold,

She was not warm, forever cold.

Oh quick, oh quick, bring light to me,

Else my love dies, no one will see…

Pallbearers we need two times three,

Six farmhands they are so heavy.

It must be six of soldiers brave,

To carry my love to her grave.

A long black coat, I must now wear.

A sorrow great, is what I bear.

A sorrow great and so much more,

My grief it will end nevermore.