A German warship entered London on the Thames this week loudly playing the “Imperial March” of legendary “Star Wars” villain Darth Vader. The German military, however, said that the ship’s commander’s choice of music “contains no deeper message.”
A passerby captured the spectacle on video on Monday and shared the video clip on social media.
Although the song choice could easily be interpreted negatively, the German Navy quickly attempted to clear the airwaves.
“The commander is free to choose the music,” the country’s navy said in a statement on Thursday. “The choice of music has no deeper message.”
15-year-old arrested in connection with knife attack on German festival, terror motive under investigation
The German corvette FGS Braunschweig arrives in London on 16 August. (German Embassy London via AP)
According to the German Navy, the warship “Braunschweig” was in the region for exercises and anchored in London to take on supplies.
Another video of the Braunschweig shows the Clash song “London Calling”, which was played as the ship entered the harbor.
The title of the 1979 song is borrowed from the name of the BBC World Service during World War II, and the lyrics include the lines “London is calling the zombies of death. Stop holding on and take a deep breath.”
German right-wing candidate stabbed to death in latest pre-election attack
Star Wars poster art, 1977. (LMPC via Getty Images)
As the ship departed, it was reportedly escorted by a tugboat down the river near Tower Bridge while sailors stood on deck without lightsabers.
The Braunschweig was named after a German town in Lower Saxony, about 420 miles from London as the crow flies. The ship was also named after Germany’s newest class of ocean-going corvettes.
German policeman stabbed to death by Afghan immigrant has died
According to a post by the German Embassy in London on X, it was already the second visit of the Braunschweigers to the British capital.
Embassy officials also said the ship’s commander was “a huge Star Wars fan and an admirer of John Williams’ legendary film music.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“He chooses a different Williams tune whenever his ship visits a foreign port,” the embassy wrote.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
