Goethes Erben (Goethe's inheritors) is a musical group from Germany started… Read Full Bio ↴Goethes Erben (Goethe's inheritors) is a musical group from Germany started in 1989 by Oswald Henke and Peter Seipt. The basic idea was to put spoken german words into the center of a music-theatre. After the releases of two demo-tapes and their debut-concert, Peter Seipt leaves the band in July 1990 to go his own musical way with The Seer. Oswald Henke is only working in his studio after that.

In February 1991 Goethes Erben is formed as a group again. Mindy Kumbalek (keyboards, drums and saxophone) and Conny R. (guitars) make the trio perfect.

In this stocking they record their debut-album "Das Sterben ist ästhetisch bunt" ('Dying is aesthetically colorful') which makes the start of a triology and is published in February 1992 on the Hamburger Label DARK STAR. On this label the following albums are also published.

Short time before the release of the second album "Der Traum an die Erinnerung" ('The dream of the rememberance'), Conny R. leaves the band of her free will. Their Germany-tour in August 1992 makes the group popular in the country. Mindy Kumbalek and Oswald Henke are supported through Peter Seipt as a part-time-musician.

Until now their musical ways have changed a lot, their popularity increased, as well. They gave several concerts and tours, have had nearly 20 albums and 3 DVDs produced (not every single one was published).

Their musical genre is not easy to describe. However, they are officially classified in the "Neue Deutsche Todeskunst" ('New german art of death') genre.

Schreiheit
Goethes Erben Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Schweiger fordern oder mahnen
werden immer überhört
Freie mahnen oder fordern
wiegen sich in Sicherheit

Schreiheit - Freiheit - Feigheit

Feige schlagen oder betteln

üben sich in Duldsamkeit
Greise wissen und verschweigen
heucheln stumm Vergeßlichkeit

Schreiheit - Freiheit - Feigheit

Freie mahnen oder fordern
wiegen sich in Sicherheit
Geile schreien oder stöhnen
aalen sich in Bigottheit
Schweiger töten oder foltern
werden immer überhört
Freie foltern oder töten
stören ihre Sicherheit
Menschen schweigen oder schreien
selten nur aus Menschlichkeit

Schreiheit - Freiheit - Menschheit

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Goethes Erben's song "Schreiheit" delve into the complex nature of freedom and how people react to it. The first stanza contrasts those who demand silence, either through force or persuasion, with those who demand their own freedom while feeling secure. However, this security may not last, as the next stanza details how those who beg or strike meekly often accept their own oppression. Meanwhile, the elderly know the truth but remain silent, silently forgetting.

The chorus of "Schreiheit - Freiheit - Feigheit" (scream-freedom-cowardice) explores the three possible reactions to freedom. The song then delves into some harsher realities: those who demand silence can be ignored or brutalized, while those who demand their own freedom may become perpetrators themselves, feeling threatened. However, the final chorus introduces a ray of hope; while some people are silent and others scream, there is a chance for some to retain their humanity and react to the situation in a just and humane way.

Overall, the lyrics of "Schreiheit" are a plea for people not to remain silent but to react to threats to their freedom, whether by speaking out or by fighting back. It is an exploration of the nature of freedom, and how it can be a catalyst for good or bad depending on how it is used.

Line by Line Meaning

Schweiger fordern oder mahnen
Those who remain silent either demand or advise without being heard.

werden immer überhört
Their voices are always ignored.

Freie mahnen oder fordern
The free citizens demand or advise.

wiegen sich in Sicherheit
They take comfort in their safety.

Schreiheit - Freiheit - Feigheit
Scream freedom, practice freedom, show cowardice.

Feige schlagen oder betteln
Cowards either hit or beg.

üben sich in Duldsamkeit
They exercise tolerance.

Greise wissen und verschweigen
Elders know something but keep it hidden.

heucheln stumm Vergeßlichkeit
They falsely appear to forget silently.

Freie mahnen oder fordern
The free citizens demand or advise.

wiegen sich in Sicherheit
They take comfort in their safety.