German warship plays Star Wars music on Thames visit
Navy insists Star Wars music choice has no deeper message
A German warship cruising the River Thames in London played the iconic Imperial March from “Star Wars,” but the navy insists it carried “no deeper message.” A bystander captured the moment on video, which quickly spread across social media this week. The warship was in London for a routine supply stop during training exercises, according to the German navy.
The navy emphasised that the commander has the liberty to select the music, stating, “The choice of music has no deeper message.” Earlier, the warship, named Braunschweig, also played “London Calling” by The Clash as it arrived in London. The 1979 hit, notable for its World War II BBC World Service reference, includes the lines, “London calling to the zombies of death/Quit holding out and draw another breath.”
Braunschweig, named after a city in Lower Saxony, Germany, belongs to the latest class of ocean-going corvettes. Sailors stood on deck without lightsabers as a tugboat guided the vessel near Tower Bridge. This visit marked Braunschweig’s second trip to London, according to a social media post by the German Embassy in London.
German corvette Braunschweig on the Thames 😂⚓ pic.twitter.com/osD9ehzPSE
— ⚓Hampshire Prints⚓ (@Hantsprints) August 20, 2024
The embassy also noted the commander’s admiration for John Williams’ legendary scores, stating he selects a different Williams tune for each foreign port visit. There’s no information if Anakin Skywalker himself was on board.
What Other Media Are Saying
- The Hill reports that Germany’s navy played the Darth Vader theme on the Thames, stating there was “no deeper message” behind the choice.(read more)
- US News reports that a German warship played the Darth Vader theme on the Thames, with the Navy stating it was just a fun gesture with no deeper message.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Why did the German warship play Darth Vader’s theme in London?
The ship’s commander, a Star Wars fan, freely chose the music.
Was there a deeper meaning behind the music choice?
No, the German navy stated there was no deeper message.
What other song did the warship play in London?
The warship also played ‘London Calling’ by The Clash.
What is the warship Braunschweig named after?
It is named after a city in Germany’s Lower Saxony.
Is it common for the warship to play John Williams’ tunes?
Yes, the commander chooses a different John Williams tune for each foreign harbor visit.
