Her parents moved to East Berlin, hence Bettina grew up in the DDR where she became a librarian and studied acting.
Her political activism opposing the DDR government got her arrested in '68. After her jail-time she studied singing.
After performing some critically songs she had to choose between jail or to never return to the DDR. In 1983 she moved to West-Berlin where she worked as a songwriter.
Her most famous song is "Kinder", which she wrote in 1979.
No Woman No Cry
Bettina Wegner Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Haben einen feinen Job gekriegt.
Dir hat man gesagt ′ne Heirat wär solider
Und du hast ganz brav dazu genickt
Einen prima Mann hast Du bekommen,
Jedenfalls hat Vater das gemeint.
Schläge hast Du schweigend hingenommen,
Heimlich hast Du auf dem Klo geweint.
No woman, no cry
No woman, no cry
No woman, no cry
Weine nicht aber schrei'
Immer ist da irgendwas gewesen,
Immer stand was zwischen Dir und Dir,
Manchmal war es einfach nur der Besen
Oder deines Ehemannes Bier.
Sieben Kinder hast Du ihm geboren,
Dann hat es sich still und leis′ verdrückt.
Denke blos nicht Du hättst was verloren.
Manchmal glaubst Du schon du wirst verrückt.
No woman, no cry
No woman, no cry
No woman, no cry
Weine nicht aber schrei'
Glaub 'mir Du brauchst keinen Psychologen,
Du brauchst einfach dass Du dich erkennst.
Um dich selber hat man dich betrogen
Und es nützt ja nichts wenn Du verbrennst.
Lass Dir sagen, Du gehst nicht alleine,
Es gibt hundert solcher Frauen wie Dich
Und noch tausend mehr um die ich weine
Schrei ab jetzt, das ist nicht lächerlich
No woman, no cry
No woman, no cry
No woman, no cry
Weine nicht aber schrei′
No woman, no cry
No woman, no cry
No woman, no cry
Weine nicht aber schrei′
The lyrics to Bettina Wegner's song "No Woman No Cry" tell the story of a woman who has sacrificed her own happiness and individuality for societal expectations and the institution of marriage. The song addresses the limitations and struggles faced by women in oppressive relationships and the need for them to find their own voice and speak out.
The first verse describes how the woman's brothers have all found successful jobs, while she was told that marriage would be more stable for her. She obediently nodded and ended up with a supposedly good man, but she silently endured the abuse and shed tears in secret. The repetition of the phrase "No woman, no cry" throughout the chorus signifies the struggle of women to suppress their emotions and remain strong in the face of adversity.
The second verse highlights how something has always come between her and herself, be it a broom or her husband's beer. She has borne seven children for him, only to have him leave quietly. The lyrics suggest that despite the loss she has experienced, the woman is made to believe that she hasn't lost anything and sometimes questions her own sanity.
The final verse speaks to the woman directly, assuring her that she doesn't need a psychologist but rather self-awareness. She has been deceived into abandoning herself, and burning in sorrow won't change anything. The singer acknowledges that the woman is not alone and there are many others like her, expressing her own sorrow for their plight. The song encourages the woman to start speaking out and crying instead of suppressing her emotions.
Overall, "No Woman No Cry" sheds light on the struggles faced by women in oppressive relationships, calling for them to find their own voice and stand up for themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Alle deine schönen großen Brüder
All your handsome big brothers
Haben einen feinen Job gekriegt.
Have gotten a fine job.
Dir hat man gesagt ′ne Heirat wär solider
They told you that marriage would be more solid.
Und du hast ganz brav dazu genickt
And you obediently nodded along.
Einen prima Mann hast Du bekommen,
You got a great husband,
Jedenfalls hat Vater das gemeint.
At least, that's what Father thought.
Schläge hast Du schweigend hingenommen,
You silently accepted beatings.
Heimlich hast Du auf dem Klo geweint.
Secretly, you cried in the bathroom.
Immer ist da irgendwas gewesen,
There has always been something,
Immer stand was zwischen Dir und Dir,
Always something standing between you and yourself,
Manchmal war es einfach nur der Besen
Sometimes it was just the broom.
Oder deines Ehemannes Bier.
Or your husband's beer.
Sieben Kinder hast Du ihm geboren,
You bore him seven children,
Dann hat es sich still und leis′ verdrückt.
Then he quietly disappeared.
Denke blos nicht Du hättst was verloren.
Just don't think you lost something.
Manchmal glaubst Du schon du wirst verrückt.
Sometimes you even think you're going crazy.
Glaub 'mir Du brauchst keinen Psychologen,
Believe me, you don't need a psychologist,
Du brauchst einfach dass Du dich erkennst.
You just need to recognize yourself.
Um dich selber hat man dich betrogen
You've been deceived about yourself.
Und es nützt ja nichts wenn Du verbrennst.
And it's useless if you burn.
Lass Dir sagen, Du gehst nicht alleine,
Let me tell you, you're not alone,
Es gibt hundert solcher Frauen wie Dich
There are hundreds of women like you.
Und noch tausend mehr um die ich weine
And a thousand more that I cry for,
Schrei ab jetzt, das ist nicht lächerlich
Now, shout out, it's not ridiculous.
Writer(s): Bob Marley
Contributed by Riley R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.