—

Aah-yes...!

The dark ones - especially them!

talk about dawn

about the bright dawn

The generals - especially them!

talk about a heroic death

about a beautiful heroic death.

Aah yes...!

Crying for his position - and how!

the smallest bureaucrat

the meanest bureaucrat.

Socialism has triumphed

when he has the position

when he has the sinecure.

Aah yes...!

The laziest pigs - especially them!

call us stinking lazy

really stinking lazy

The liars lead - especially them!

always mouthing the truth

mouthing the truth cheekily.

Aah yes...!

The fat ones are there, so what!

with cook, chauffeur, and house

with cook, chauffeur, and house

Communism broke out, and how!

It was already a wonderful thing for them

It was already a yesterday for them

Ah yes...!

The crooked dogs - especially them!

demand honesty

from us.

The naughty old men - especially them!

preach a new era

the great new era.

Ah yes...!

The Wall is standing - especially them!

it couldn't have been any other way

couldn't have been any other way

But the inventors - especially them!

are walling themselves in

in Wandlitz twice over.

Ah yes...!

The prosecutors call us

enemies of the state and more

enemies of the state and more

For communists - especially for us!

it's an honor

basically a great honor.

Ah yes...!

The old gods - just those!

They're on the scrap heap

Well, finally on the scrap heap!

Don't come to us with new gods!

We don't need a god

Not even a little god.

Ah yes...!

Civil liberty - just those!

That's been abolished here

Well, finally abolished

True freedom - they say!

That would be in force instead

That would be in force here.

Ah yes...!

➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖

Sources: @ fair use

Written by: © Wolf Biermann

Released: CBS in 1974

➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖

Aah ja...!

Die Finsterlinge - na grade die!

reden vom Morgenrot

vom lichten Morgenrot

Die Generäle - na grade die!

reden vom Heldentod

vom schönen Heldentod.

Aah ja...!

Nach seinem Posten schreit - und wie!

der kleinste Bürokrat

gemeinste Bürokrat.

Der Sozialismus hat gesiegt

wenn er den Posten hat

wenn er die Pfründe hat.

Aah ja...!

Die faulsten Schweine -- na grade die!

nennen uns stinkend faul

so richtig stinkend faul

Die Lügner führen -- na grade die!

die Wahrheit stets im Maul

die Wahrheit frech im Maul.

Aah ja...!

Die dicke da sind, na und wie!

mit Koch Chauffeur und Haus

mit Koch Chauffeur und Haus

Der Kommunismus brach, und wie!

für die schon herrlich aus

für die schon gestern aus

Aah ja...!

Die krummsten Hunde - na grade die!

fordern Aufrichtigkeit

von uns Aufrichtigkeit.

Die Mümmelgreise - na grade die!

predigen neue Zeit

die große neue Zeit

Aah ja...!

Die Mauer steht - na grade die!

es konnt nicht anders sein

konnt wohl nicht anders sein

Doch die Erfinder - na grade die!

mauern sich selber ein

in Wandlitz doppelt ein.

Aah ja...!

Die Staatsanwälte nennen uns

Staatsfeinde und noch mehr

Staatsfeinde und noch mehr

Für Kommunisten -- grad für uns!

ist da ja eine Ehr'

im Grunde große Ehr'.

Aah ja...!

Die alten Götter - na grade die!

sie liegen auf dem Schrott

na endlich auf dem Schrott!

Mit neuen Göttern kommt uns nicht!

wir brauchen keinen Gott

auch keinen kleinen Gott.

Aah ja...!

Die Bürger-Freiheit - na grade die!

die ist hier abgeschafft

na endlich abgeschafft

Die wahre Freiheit - sagen sie!

die wär dafür in Kraft

die wäre hier in Kraft.

Aah ja...!

—

—

This night is cold

And the wind that blows

Through our land

And whoever still walks now

Is a poor fool

Or on the way to their beloved

Who is worth every journey

Oh, open for me, let me in

Your beloved stands in the moonlight

This night is so cold, so open for me

For tomorrow it will be too late

My father watches over house and yard

My door is locked with an iron lock

And I have no key for it

There is no way to me tonight

Oh, open for me, let me in

Your beloved stands in the moonlight

This night is so cold, so open for me

For tomorrow it will be too late

But the night is so cold

Finally, she opens the door for him

And she kisses her beloved's cold brow

This night is so cold

But she opens the door and he kisses her

Seven times for it

Oh, open for me, let me in in

Your beloved stands in the moonlight

This night is so cold, so open the door for me

For tomorrow it will be too late

The morning dawns

And the wind blows through our land

But the girl lies in her beloved's arms

And thanks the cold night

And the wind for it...

➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖

Sources: @ fair use

Written by: © Bernd Wendlandt, Ingo Politz, Fiona Rueggeberg, Oliver Pade, Ruediger Maul, Dp, Niel Mitra, Stephan Tod Groth

Performance: © Faun

Album: Von den Elben

Released: 2013

Artwork: Cold Night - Qi Baishi

➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖

Diese Nacht ist kalt

Und der Wind, der bläst

Durch unser Land

Und wer jetzt noch geht

Ist ein armer Tor

Oder auf dem Weg zu der Liebsten

Die jede Reise lohnt

Oh, öffne mir, lass mich hinein

Dein Liebster steht im Mondenschein

Diese Nacht ist so kalt, so öffne mir

Denn morgen wird es zu spät sein

Mein Vater wacht über Haus und Hof

Meine Tür versperrt ein Eisenschloss

Und ich habe keinen Schlüssel dafür

Es führt heut Nacht kein Weg zu mir

Oh, öffne mir, lass mich hinein

Dein Liebster steht im Mondenschein

Diese Nacht ist so kalt, so öffne mir

Denn morgen wird es zu spät sein

Doch die Nacht ist so kalt

Endlich öffnet sie ihm

Und sie küsst ihres Liebsten kalte Stirn

Diese Nacht ist so kalt

Doch sie öffnet die Tür und er küsst sie

Sieben Mal dafür

Oh, öffne mir, lass mich hinein

Dein Liebster steht im Mondenschein

Diese Nacht ist so kalt, so öffne mir

Denn morgen wird es zu spät sein

Der Morgen graut

Und der Wind, der geht durch unser Land

Doch das Mädchen liegt in ihres Liebsten Arm

Und danket sehr der kalten Nacht

Und dem Wind dafür...

—

—

Where does the sense of technology originate?

Where does mechanical instinct come from?

What is the opposite of skeptical?

Why is asymmetrical pretentious?

Why do we fall into a hectic rush?

Isn't being an engineer glamorous?

Oho, head up, dance.

Oho, head out and out.

How deep are deep feelings?

Who remembers you when you forget yourself?

Where do you sit between two stools?

And why is it always me?

Oho, head up, dance.

Oho, head out and out.

Protect your soul from being sold out.

And don't always save the best for last.

Until the last (Go)

Why don't dreams have ending credits?

And where is the fun here anyway?

How is one in no state?

How do you shed a tear for?

Oho, head up, dance.

Oho, head out and out.

Protect your soul from being sold out.

And don't always save the best for last. on

Go on until the end

Protect your soul from being sold out

And don't always save the best for last

Go on until the last

Why do we make mistakes twice?

And are souls only related and not the same?

Why is your smile only extra?

Because you kiss so wonderfully German, is that even possible?

How do you go about things?

Do you hang wishes halfway up in a relaxed manner?

How do you wrap someone around your finger?

And fate still loves you?

Oho, head up, dance.

Oho, head out and out.

Turn your head, head, head out.

Don't worry about it, come dance.

Turn your head, head, head out.

Don't worry about it, come dance.

Turn your head, head, head out.

Don't worry about it, come dance.

Turn your head and come dance.

Turn your head and come dance.

Come and dance...

➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖

Sources: @ fair use

Written by: © Herbert Arthur Groenemeyer

Album: Was Muss Muss - Best Of

Released: 2008

Artwork: © I'm Dancin' as Fast as I Can - Miriam Schapiro (1984)

➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖

Wo entspringt der Sinn für Technik

Woher kommt maschinelles Gespür

Was ist das Gegenteil von skeptisch

Wieso ist Unsymmetrisches prätentiös

Warum verfällt man in Hektik

Ist Ingenieursein nicht glamourös

Oho, Kopf hoch, tanzen

Oho, Kopf aus und raus

Wie tief sind tiefe Gefühle

Wer erinnert dich, wenn du dich vergisst

Wo sitzt man zwischen den Stühlen

Und wieso immer ich

Oho, Kopf hoch, tanzen

Oho, Kopf aus und raus

Beschütze deine Seele vorm Ausverkauf

Und heb dir das Beste nicht immer bis zuletzt auf

Bis zuletzt auf (Go)

Warum haben Träume keinen Abspann

Und wo gehts hier überhaupt zum Spass

Wie ist man in keinem Zustand

Wie weint man eine Träne nach

Oho, Kopf hoch, tanzen

Oho, Kopf aus und raus

Beschütze deine Seele vorm Ausverkauf

Und heb dir das Beste nicht immer bis zuletzt auf

Bis zuletzt auf (Go)

Beschütze deine Seele vorm Ausverkauf

Und heb dir das Beste nicht immer bis zuletzt auf

Bis zuletzt auf (Go)

Wieso macht man Fehler auch zweimal

Und sind Seelen nur verwandt und nicht gleich

Warum gibts dein Lächeln nur extra

Denn du küsst so wunderbar deutsch, gehts noch?

Wie geht man den Gang der Dinge

Hängt man Wünsche ganz entspannt halbhoch

Wie wickelt man um den Finger

Und das Schicksal liebt dich doch

Oho, Kopf hoch, tanzen

Oho, Kopf aus und raus

Mach den Kopf, den Kopf, den Kopf aus

Mach dir keinen Kopf, komm tanzen

Mach den Kopf, den Kopf, den Kopf aus

Mach dir keinen Kopf, komm tanzen

Mach den Kopf aus und komm tanzen

Mach den Kopf aus und komm tanzen

Komm und tanz...

—

—

When the best friend

With the best friend

To go shopping

To go shopping

To get some exercise

To stroll through the streets

To chat

The best friend says

To the best friend:

"My best, my best friend

Oh my best friend, oh my beautiful friend

Oh my faithful friend, oh my sweet friend!"

The best friend goes with the best friend

The best friend says to the best friend

"My best, my best friend!"

Spoken:

- Yes, what is the best friend saying? Just say something to me that just comes to mind.

- I can only tell you one thing: If I didn't have you - we'd get along so well.

- Yes, we get along so terribly well. How well we get along together!

- It's almost unbearable how well we get along!

- I only get along so well with one person. With my sweet little husband.

- Yes, with your sweet little husband!

Yes, my husband is a man

A man like my husband

Like the wife's husband

Like the wife's husband

There used to be a house boyfriend, but that faded away

Today, instead of a house boyfriend, there's a house girlfriend

Spoken:

- Your little husband is too sweet!

- Really?

- Yes

- Why?

- I think...

- Why?

- Why?

- Why do you think so?

- Why not?

- I don't like that!

- What!

Spoken:

- What?

- You cheated on me with her!

- Because you cheated on me with her!

- And you cheated on me with him!

- Because you're cheating on me with him!

- What kind of complicated family situation is this?

Shouldn't we just get along?

- Yes, we'd better get along!

- Stupid, stupid love!

When the best friend

(Dada-dada damdada)

With the best friend

(Dada-dada damdada)

To go shopping

(Dada-dada damdada)

To go shopping

(Dada-dada damdada)

To get some exercise

(Dada-dada damdada)

To walk through the streets

(Dada-dada damdada)

To talk it out

(Dada-dada damdada)

The best friend speaks

(Dada-dada damdada)

To the best friend:

(Dada-dada damdada)

"My best, my best friend

(Dada-dada damdada)

O my best friend

(Dada-dada damdada)

O my beautiful friend

(Dada-dada damdada)

O my faithful friend

(Dada-dada damdada)

O my sweet friend!"

(Dada-dada damdada)

Here goes the best friend

(Dada-dada damdada)

With the best friend

(Dada-dada damdada)

The best friend speaks

(Dada-dada damdada)

To the best friend:

(Dada-dada damdada)

"My best, my best friend!"

(Dada-dada damdada)

➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖

Lyrics: Marcellus Schiffer

Music: Mischa Spoliansky

Performance: Marlene Dietrich, Margo Lion, Oskar Karlweis (1928)

➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖

Wenn die beste Freundin

Mit der besten Freundin

Um was einzukaufen

Um was einzukaufen

Um sich auszulaufen

Durch die Straßen latschen

Um sich auszuquatschen

Spricht die beste Freundin

Zu der besten Freundin:

"Meine beste, meine beste Freundin

O meine beste Freundin, o meine schöne Freundin

O meine treue Freundin, o meine süße Freundin!"

Geht die beste Freundin mit der besten Freundin

Spricht die beste Freundin zu der besten Freundin

"Meine beste, meine beste Freundin!"

Gesprochen:

- Ja, was sagt denn da die beste Freundin? Sag doch mal was zu mir, was dir so grade einfällt.

- Ich kann dir nur eins sagen: Wenn ich dich nicht hätte - wir vertragen uns beide so gut.

- Ja, wir vertragen uns so furchtbar gut. Wie wir uns beide gut zusammen vertragen!

- Das ist kaum noch auszuhalten, wie gut wir uns beide vertragen!

- Nur mit einem vertrage ich mich noch so gut. Mit meinem süßen kleinen Mann.

- Ja, mit deinem süßen kleinen Mann!

Ja, mein Mann ist ein Mann

So ein Mann, wie mein Mann

Wie der Mann von der Frau

Wie der Mann von der Frau

Früher gab's den Hausfreund, doch der schwand dahin

Heute statt des Hausfreunds gibt's die Hausfreundin

Gesprochen:

- Dein kleiner Mann ist aber auch zu süß!

- So?

- Ja

- Warum?

- Ich finde ...

- Wieso?

- Warum?

- Wieso findest du?

- Wieso nicht?

- Das paßt mir aber nicht!

- Nanu!

Gesprochen:

- Nanu?

- Du hast mich mit ihr betrogen!

- Weil du mich mit ihr betrogen hast!

- Und du hast mich mit ihm betrogen!

- Weil du mich mit ihm betrügst!

- Was sind denn das für verwickelte Familienverhältnisse?

Woll'n wir uns nicht lieber vertragen?

- Ja, wir woll'n uns lieber vertragen!

- Die dumme, dumme Liebe!

Wenn die beste Freundin

(Dada-dada damdada)

Mit der besten Freundin

(Dada-dada damdada)

Um was einzukaufen

(Dada-dada damdada)

Um was einzukaufen

(Dada-dada damdada)

Um sich auszulaufen

(Dada-dada damdada)

Durch die Straßen latschen

(Dada-dada damdada)

Um sich auszuquatschen

(Dada-dada damdada)

Spricht die beste Freundin

(Dada-dada damdada)

Zu der besten Freundin:

(Dada-dada damdada)

"Meine beste, meine beste Freundin

(Dada-dada damdada)

O meine beste Freundin

(Dada-dada damdada)

O meine schöne Freundin

(Dada-dada damdada)

O meine treue Freundin

(Dada-dada damdada)

O meine süße Freundin!"

(Dada-dada damdada)

Geht die beste Freundin

(Dada-dada damdada)

Mit der besten Freundin

(Dada-dada damdada)

Spricht die beste Freundin

(Dada-dada damdada)

Zu der besten Freundin:

(Dada-dada damdada)

"Meine beste, meine beste Freundin!"

(Dada-dada damdada)

—

—

Monday, January 6th
Outside, everything is deep in snow
The weather seems too clear to me
It probably won't thaw anytime soon
We've been playing cards since this morning
The foreman is watching us
While I get up, brew coffee
Antonio always cheats

I want to go home, I've had enough
I've been here far too long
I'm jumping on the next train
And leaving everything behind

Thursday, May 15th
Today, the mail arrived for old Frank
A letter and a photo
He's just sticking it in his cupboard
I'd like to know what you're doing?
My brother hasn't written in a long time.
And it's been a few weeks since I received mail from you.

I want to go home, I've had enough.
I've been here far too long.
I'm jumping on the next train.
And leaving everything behind.

Wednesday, August 20th.
Old Frank has given up.
The heat is pounding on his chest.
They took him to the doctor.
The Spaniard is cleaning his gramophone.
The foreman owes me.
Half a week's wages.
And Sergio still owes three bottles of beer.

I want to go home, I've had enough.
I've been here far too long.
I'm jumping on the next train.
And leaving everything behind.

November 6th, Thursday.
Work until sunset.
The time gets shorter every day.
And yet it never seemed so long.
I went to the train station to see if I had enough for a ticket.
Then I stopped in front of the barrier.
My courage wasn't enough again.

I want to go home, I've had enough.
I am I've been here far too long
I'm jumping on the next train
And leaving everything behind...

➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖

Sources: @ fair use

Written by: © Reinhard Mey

Album: Aus Meinem Tagebuch

Released: 1970

Artwork: © Diary III - Romul Nutiu (2004)

➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖

Montag, der sechste Januar
Draußen liegt alles tief verschneit
Das Wetter scheint mir doch zu klar
Tau'n wird's wohl nicht in nächster Zeit
Wir spielen Karten seit heut' früh'
Der Vorarbeiter sieht uns zu
Während ich aufsteh', Kaffee brüh'
Mogelt Antonio immer zu

Ich will nach Haus, ich hab' genug
Ich bin schon viel zu lange hier
Ich springe auf den nächsten Zug
Und lasse alles hinter mir

Donnerstag, der fünfzehnte Mai
Heut' kam Post für den alten Frank
Ein Brief und ein Photo dabei
Er klebt es grad in seinen Schrank
Ich wüßte gerne, was macht ihr?
Mein Bruder schreibt schon lang nicht mehr
Und dass ich Post bekam von dir
Ist auch schon ein paar Wochen her

Ich will nach Haus, ich hab' genug
Ich bin schon viel zu lange hier
Ich springe auf den nächsten Zug
Und lasse alles hinter mir

Mittwoch, der zwanzigste August
Der alte Frank hat schlappgemacht
Die Hitze schlägt ihm auf die Brust
Sie haben ihn zum Arzt gebracht
Der Spanier putzt sein Grammophon
Der Vorarbeiter schuldet mir
Noch einen halben Wochenlohn
Und Sergio noch drei Flaschen Bier

Ich will nach Haus, ich hab' genug
Ich bin schon viel zu lange hier
Ich springe auf den nächsten Zug
Und lasse alles hinter mir

Sechster November, Donnerstag
Arbeit bis Sonnenuntergang
Kürzer die Zeit von Tag zu Tag
Und schien mir dennoch nie so lang
Ich war am Bahnhof, um zu sehn
Ob es schon für die Karte reicht
Dann blieb ich vor der Sperre stehn
Mein Mut hat wieder nicht gereicht

Ich will nach Haus, ich hab' genug
Ich bin schon viel zu lange hier
Ich springe auf den nächsten Zug
Und lasse alles hinter mir...

—

Sources: @ fair use

Songs: © Reinhard Mey

Artwork: © Orpheus, wearing a Phrygian cap, is surrounded by animals, who are charmed by his lyre-playing. Roman Orpheus mosaic from Palermo, 2nd century AD.

Sources: @ fair use

Song: © Udo Juergens

Artwork: © Floor Cake - Claes Oldenburg (1962)

Sources: @ fair use

Song: © Marlene Dietrich

Photograph: © West-Berliners Assemble In Protest And Looking Towards Easter Berlin During Time The Berlin Wall Was Erected By The East German Government - 1961

Sources: @ fair use

Song: © Reinhard Mey

Artwork: © Gare St.-Lazare: Arrival of a Train - Claude Monet (1877)

Sources: @ fair use

Song: © Reinhard Mey

Artwork: © The Ship of Fools - Hieronymus Bosch (1490 - 1500)

Sources: @ fair use

Performance: © Marielle Mathieu

Artwork: © The Marseillais volunteers departing, sculpted on the Arc de Triomphe, Paris, France

Sources: @ fair use

Performance: © Herbert Grönemeyer

Artwork: © Freedom of Speech - Norman Rockwell (1943)

Sources: @ fair use

Performance: © Hildegard Knef

Artwork: © Berlin Girl - Edvard Munch (1906)

Sources: @ fair use

Music & Lyrics: © Reinhard Mey (1974)

Artwork: © Above the Clouds I - Georgia O'Keeffe (1962 - 1963)

Kiss me, please, please, kiss me!

Before the last train comes.

Kiss me without stopping!

Kiss me, please, please, kiss me!

When the train arrives.

I have to go home!

It's coming with a ringing bell.

It doesn't stop, oh dear!

Sources: @ fair use

Performance: © Caterina Valente

Artwork: © Kiss - Norman Rockwell (1931)

We've turned night into day again.

I have my breakfast at eight in the evening.

Thoughts flow as thick as chewing gum.

My head is heavy as lead, my knees are shaking.

Muffled oaths in red-blue light.

Forty percent balance.

Gray cells in a soft explosion.

Vision of sunrise and sunset.

What's going on, what happened?

I was just massaging my nerves.

Alcohol is your paramedic in an emergency.

Alcohol is your parachute and your lifeboat.

Alcohol is the tightrope you stand on. Alcohol, alcohol...

The upscale scene dreams of cocaine.

And the school toilet smells of grass.

The pharmacist takes Valium and speed.

And when it gets dark, they reach for the glass.

What's going on, what happened?

I was just massaging my nerves.

Alcohol is your paramedic in an emergency.

Alcohol is your parachute and your lifeboat.

Alcohol is the tightrope you stand on.

Alcohol is the ship you go down with.

Alcohol is your paramedic in an emergency.

Alcohol is your parachute and your lifeboat.

Alcohol is the brine to marinade your brain.

Alcohol, alcohol...

Alcohol is your paramedic in an emergency.

Alcohol is your parachute and your lifeboat.

Alcohol is the tightrope you stand on.

Alcohol is the ship you go down with.

Alcohol is your paramedic in an emergency.

Alcohol is your parachute and your lifeboat.

Alcohol is the tightrope you stand on.

Alcohol, alcohol, alcohol...

Alcohol is your paramedic in an emergency.

Alcohol is your parachute and your lifeboat.

Alcohol is the tightrope you stand on.

Alcohol, alcohol, alcohol...

Alcohol is your paramedic in an emergency.

Alcohol is your parachute and your lifeboat.

Alcohol is the tightrope you stand on.

Alcohol, alcohol, alcohol...

Alcohol is your paramedic in an emergency.

Alcohol is your parachute and your lifeboat.

Alcohol is the tightrope you stand.

Alcohol is the ship you go down with.

Alcohol is your paramedic in times of need.

Alcohol is your parachute and your lifeboat.

Alcohol is the brine to marinade your brain.

Alcohol, alcohol, alcohol...

Sources: @ fair use

Written by: Norbert Hamm, Gerhard Mrozeck, Luis-florentino Cruz, Julian Otto, Jascha Schmuhl, Jennifer Atswei Akpor Allendoerfer

Performed by: Herbert Grönemeyer

Released: 1984

Artwork: Alcoholic Calavera - Jose Guadalupe Posada (1888)

And again I stand here in silence

by your bed and stroke your hair

once again gently

In a deep sleep you lie before me

as peacefully as a small animal

that has been busy all day

And your helplessness moves me

so much that it tightens my throat

And again it occurs to me

That I now take care of you

I, old brother Liederlich -

How important I suddenly am!

In the evening, by your bed,

the important things melt away into nothingness

I stand before you, helpless and full of gratitude, and I feel

something like humility, my child

I no longer belong to myself,

No, I will never be completely free again

Completely carefree and completely untroubled

Every decision, every step

Every thought is guided by you

As long as I will think

But I am happy to exchange my carefreeness

And I give up my peace

for the ball of yarn that clings to me

The cry of joy that greets me

when I return in the evening

In the evening, by your bed,

the important things melt away into nothingness

I stand before you, helpless and full of gratitude, and I feel

something like humility, my child

Well, good night, your day was long

If I didn't quite manage

to be for you as I would have liked would be

Then be patient with me, you know

I'm still learning so much

Tomorrow I might know more

And if I was impatient

brusque and even unfair

Then please forgive me

I should know, actually

I'm the bigger of the two of us -

If only I could be the wiser one!

In the evening, by your bed,

the important things melt away into nothingness

Perplexed and full of gratitude

I stand before you, and I feel

something like humility, my child...

Sources: @ fair use

Written by: © Reinhard Mey

Album: Mein Apfelbäumchen

Released: 1989

Artwork: Sleeping Child - Bernardo Strozzi - Residenzgalerie, Salzburg, Austria

The Background Story:

Bill Ramsey

William McCreery Ramsey (April 17, 1931 – July 2, 2021) was an American-German jazz and pop singer, journalist and actor famous for his German-language hits.

He returned to Germany a year after he had served compulsory military service with the U.S. Air Force there.

Active as a singer of jazz and pop already as a soldier, Ramsey made a career in different fields of musical entertainment.

He sang and recorded German schlager, also German-language cover versions of English hits, jazz and swing.

Sources: @ fair use

Performance: © Bill Ramsey

Lyrics in Bavarian & Austrian Dialect:

—

Es Wird Scho Glei Dumpa

Es wird scho glei dumpa, es wird scho glei Nacht

drum kimm i zu dir her, mein Heiland, auf d’Wacht.

Will singa a Liadl dem Liabling, dem kloan

Du magst ja net schlafn, i hör’ di nur woan.

Hei hei, hei hei!

Schlaf süaß, herzliabs Kind!

Vergiß jetzt, o Kinderl, dein Kumma, dei Load

Dass du da muasst leid’n im Stall auf da Hoad.

Es ziern ja die Engerl dei Liegerstatt aus

Möcht schöner net sein drin an Kini sein Haus.

Hei hei, hei hei!

Schlaf süaß, du liabs Kind!

Ja Kinderl, du bist halt im Kripperl so schön

Mi ziemt, i kann nimmer da weg von dir gehn.

I wünsch dir von Herzen die süaßeste Ruah

Die Engerl vom Himmel, die decken di zua.

Hei hei, hei hei!

Schlaf süaß, du schöns Kind!

Schließ zu deine Äugerl in Ruah und in Fried

Und gib ma zum Abschied dein Segn no grad mit.

Aft wird a mein Schlaferl a sorgenlos sein

Aft kann i mi ruahli aufs Niederleg’n frei’n.

Hei hei, hei hei!

Schlaf süaß, mein liabs Kind!

The Background Story:

Es Wird Scho Glei Dumpa

Sources: @ fair use

Performance: © Die Hollerstauden

The Christmas Oratorio - Weihnachtsoratorium - BWV 248, is an oratorio by Johann Sebastian Bach intended for performance in church during the Christmas season.

It is in six parts, each part a cantata intended for the feast days of the Christmas period.

It was written for the Christmas season of 1734 and incorporates music from earlier compositions, including three secular cantatas written during 1733 and 1734 and a largely lost church cantata, BWV 248a.

The date is confirmed in Bach's autographed manuscript.

The next complete public performance was not until December 17, 1857 by the Sing-Akademie zu Berlin under Eduard Grell.

The Christmas Oratorio is a particularly sophisticated musical work.

The author of the text is unknown, although a likely collaborator was Christian Friedrich Henrici (Picander).

The first part (for Christmas Day) describes the Birth of Jesus, the second (for 26 December) the annunciation to the shepherds, the third (for 27 December) the adoration of the shepherds, the fourth (for New Year's Day) the circumcision and naming of Jesus, the fifth (for the first Sunday after New Year) the journey of the Magi, and the sixth (for Epiphany) the adoration of the Magi.

The running time for the entire oratorio is around three hours.

Netherlands Bach Society:

Shunske Sato, violin and direction

Viola Blache, soprano

Ulrike Malotta, alto

Daniel Johannsen, tenor

Matthias Helm, bass

0:00 Sinfonia

5:06 Und es waren Hirten (Rezitativ)

5:52 Brich an, o schönes Morgenlicht (Choral)

6:54 Und der Engel sprach (Rezitativ)

7:36 Was Gott dem Abraham (Rezitativ)

8:18 Frohe Hirten, eilt (Arie)

11:59 Und das habt zum Zeichen (Rezitativ)

12:24 Schaut hin (Choral)

13:03 So geht denn hin (Rezitativ)

13:52 Schlafe, mein Liebster (Arie)

22:40 Und alsobald war (Rezitativ)

22:51 Ehre sei Gott in der Höhe (Chor)

25:09 So recht, ihr Engel (Rezitativ)

25:32 Wir singen dir in deinem Heer (Choral)

The Background Story:

Christmas Oratorio

Johann Sebastian Bach

Sources: @ fair use

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_Oratorio

Performance: © Netherlands Bach Society