Their most popular sound was comparable to that of Yes, but they also explored other progressive rock styles. Their sound was characterized by sometimes humorous approach to making music, exhibited in both the lyrics and in the chimeric sound of the instruments.
The band made nearly fifteen albums, from general hard rock album to concept albums. Their vocals are mostly in English, although some albums were released with German vocals for the home market and English vocals for export.
Sun Trip
Grobschnitt Lyrics
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Spoken:
Und es geschah am 26. Tag des 7. Monats, da trat des Herrn Engel zu Moses und sprach: "Sage Deinem Volke, es möge sich versammeln am 3. Tage auf dem Ölberg und der Herr wird sich Euch offenbaren." Und am dritten Tage versammelten sich die Gläubigen am Ölberg, aber er, der Herr, er erschien nicht.
Und die Gläubigen harrten der Dinge und sie harrten drei Tage und drei Nächte. Langsam bekamen sie kalte Füße und das Brot ward alle. Am vierten Tag begann es zu regnen; am fünften schneite es bereits, doch die Gläubigen harrten unentwegt aus.
Die Jahre gingen ins Land, und die Gläubigen warteten hungrig und mit kalten Füßen auf den Herrn und kein Klagelaut kam über ihre Lippen. Und sie warten heute noch auf den Herrn wie vor 2000 Jahren und niemand fragt sich: "Wie lange eigentlich noch?"
The gras is whispering
The sun shines warm
The air is clean and soft
My mind is free
Going to where it wants to be
It's so nice to see
The flowers surrounding me
In Vietnam
My brother's shooten down
Sun burns hot
The bombers are roaring loud
His mind is dead
His blood runs warm and red
It's a shame to see
'Cos he's man like you and me
In Vietnam
My brother's shooten down
Sun burns hot
The bombers are roaring loud
His mind is dead
His blood runs warm and red
It's a shame to see
'Cos he's man like you and me
And me, and me
And me
Au! (= ouch!)
All of us are fighting here
Against the hate and war
But you cheering crazy crowd
You're calling out for more
'Bout the real reality
You dislike it to hear
Fucking haughty lazy mass
You're sipping at your beer
But listen
Some day you will awake
And there will be nothing left
From what today you take
And than you'll understand
What we have tried to say
But then there's no help around
'Cos we are far away
Na, na, na, na, na
Na, na, na, na, na...
The lyrics of Grobschnitt's song Sun Trip are a commentary on the senselessness and brutality of war, specifically the Vietnam War, and the apathy and lack of understanding of those who do not experience it firsthand. The song starts with a spoken introduction about how people have been waiting for 2000 years for the Lord to return, and the irony of this waiting is contrasted with the beauty of nature. The first verse talks about the freedom of the mind in nature, and how nice it is to be surrounded by flowers. But then the second verse brings us back to the reality of war, as the songwriter's brother is killed in Vietnam. The contrast between the peacefulness of nature and the horrors of war is stark, and the lyrics emphasize the tragedy and waste of it all. The chorus is a direct address to the audience, criticizing their apathy and their inability to see the true reality of war. The song ends on a pessimistic note, with the realization that it may be too late to prevent the devastation that war can cause.
Line by Line Meaning
The sky is blue
The sky has a blue hue
The gras is whispering
The grass is rustling
The sun shines warm
The sun is warmly shining
The air is clean and soft
The air is pure and gentle
My mind is free
I have a free and clear mind
Going to where it wants to be
My mind wanders aimlessly
It's so nice to see
I'm happy with the pleasant sight
The flowers surrounding me
I'm surrounded by pretty flowers
In Vietnam
During the Vietnam War
My brother's shooten down
My brother has been shot and killed
Sun burns hot
The sun is burning hot
The bombers are roaring loud
The sound of the bombers is deafening
His mind is dead
My brother's mind is no longer functioning
His blood runs warm and red
My brother's blood is flowing hot and red
It's a shame to see
It's a pity to witness
'Cos he's man like you and me
Because he's a human like us
And me, and me
And myself as well
And me
And myself
All of us are fighting here
We are all fighting against war and hate
Against the hate and war
Fighting against the spread of hate and war
But you cheering crazy crowd
But you, the cheering and wild crowd
You're calling out for more
You are demanding more
'Bout the real reality
Regarding the true reality
You dislike it to hear
You don't like to hear the truth
Fucking haughty lazy mass
You, the arrogant and idle masses
You're sipping at your beer
Drinking your beer and ignoring the problem
But listen
But listen to us
Some day you will awake
One day you will realize
And there will be nothing left
And there'll be nothing left
From what today you take
Of what you have now
And than you'll understand
Only then will you understand
What we have tried to say
What we have been trying to say
But then there's no help around
But by then it's too late
'Cos we are far away
Because we are too distant
Na, na, na, na, na
Nonsense sounds
Na, na, na, na, na...
More nonsense sounds
Contributed by John Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.