Wader was born in Bielefeld, Westphalia. His works are mostly based on German folk songs. Aside from his own lyrics, he also performs works of famous poets like Eichendorff. He now rarely sings the workers' songs and socialist hymns that used to be a large part of his repertoire. He recently published an album exclusively with songs by Franz Schubert. He also performed translated works from Carl Michael Bellman in the album "Liebe, Schnaps & Tod".
Remarkably, many of the social issues Wader sang about are still relevant today. Besides e.g. Franz Josef Degenhardt, Wader can be considered as one of the most active political singers in Germany.
In the 1970s Hanners Wader became one of the stars of the political left through his provocative songs. He was a member of the German Communist Party from 1977 to 1991. The publication of the song "Der Tankerkönig" stirred up controversy, as it covered the kidnapping of the son of the tycoon Rudolf August Oetker. Wader even came under suspicions of terrorism.
In 1973 he moved to Struckum, in Nordfriesland, where he published some of his later albums. He moved with his family in 1998 to live in Kreis Steinburg.
He has published numerous albums and still goes on tours around Germany. He appears on open-air concerts and also in clubs.
http://www.scala-kuenstler.de/hannes-wader.html
Day to Day
Hannes Wader Lyrics
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Sing my songs, travel on
It's a choice that I made long ago
Yesterday or tomorrow
My time's mine to borrow
Or share, till again I must go
But sometimes, when my dreams
I should try settling down
For a change, in some town
But the years and the days
Pass me by, go their ways
And the changes are all that remain
Though the folk I have met
(Ah, how soon!) they forget
When I've moved on to some other place
There may be one or two
When I've played and passed through
Who'll remember my song or my face
But sometimes, when my dreams
Start to haunt me, it seems
I should try settling down
For a change, in some town
But the years and the days
Pass me by, go their ways
And the changes are all that remain
Please don't ask me to say
Why I've chosen this way:
It's just too hard for me to explain
For the places I've been
And the changes I've seen
Tell me nothing I know stays the same
Hannes Wader's song "Day to Day" depicts the life of a traveling musician who moves from town to town, singing his songs and sharing his stories. The song explores the nostalgia and yearning for stability in a life marked by transience. The singer reflects on the choices he has made and acknowledges that even though he has chosen to live this way, sometimes he wonders if he should try to settle down. However, his memories of the people he has met and the places he has been remind him that change is the only constant, and nothing remains the same.
The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the life of a traveling musician. The singer moves from town to town, sharing his music with the people he meets. He recognizes that this is a choice he has made and that it comes with its own set of challenges. The transience of his life is both exhilarating and exhausting, and at times, he longs for stability. However, the song acknowledges that this is the path he has chosen, and he must accept the changes that come with it.
The themes of the song are universal and relatable. We all experience moments of restlessness, fleeting connections, and the desire for change. The singer's reflections on his life as a musician remind us of the importance of following our passions, and that sometimes, the path we choose may not be the easiest, but it is ultimately the one that will bring us the most fulfillment.
Line by Line Meaning
Day to day, town to town
Continuously moving from one place to another day after day.
Sing my songs, travel on
Performing musical pieces while travelling from one place to another.
It's a choice that I made long ago
The decision to lead a life of travel was taken a long time ago.
Yesterday or tomorrow
The past and the future don't impact my current decision-making.
My time's mine to borrow
My time is flexible and I can use it any way I want.
Or share, till again I must go
Occasionally, I can afford to allocate time to others, until I need to leave again.
But sometimes, when my dreams
Occasionally, I ponder upon...
Start to haunt me, it seems
...what my life would have been like if I had chosen a different path.
I should try settling down
I should attempt to create a permanent home, and leave behind my travel lifestyle.
For a change, in some town
To explore a new city, and satisfy my curiosity for novelty.
But the years and the days
However, the months and years that have passed...
Pass me by, go their ways
...have slipped away from me and cannot be reclaimed.
And the changes are all that remain
The only thing that remains unchanged is that everything around me is ever-changing.
Though the folks I have met
Even though the people I have crossed paths with...
(Ah, how soon!) they forget
...quickly forget about me once I move on to a new location.
When I've moved on to some other place
Once I leave for another adventure...
There may be one or two
...perhaps one or two individuals might...
When I've played and passed through
...remember my performances or my face after I have moved on.
Who'll remember my song or my face
...who might hold a small memory of me and my music.
Please don't ask me to say
I can't communicate to you...
Why I've chosen this way:
...why my decision to be a travelling musician was made.
It's just too hard for me to explain
It isn't something I can put into words, and you simply can't comprehend it.
For the places I've been
The numerous regions and locales that I have visited...
And the changes I've seen
...that have underwent various alterations since my last visit.
Tell me nothing I know stays the same
Convey to me that everything that I once recognized is in a state of constant transformation.
Contributed by Oliver W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.