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
Trotz alledem
Hannes Wader Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Trotz Regen, Schnee und alledem!
Nun aber, da es Blüten schneit
Nun ist es kalt, trotz alledem!
Trotz alledem und alledem –
Trotz Wien, Berlin und alledem –
Ein schnöder scharfer Winterwind
Durchfröstelt uns trotz alledem!
Die Waffen, die der Sieg uns gab
Der Sieg des Rechts, trotz alledem
Die nimmt man sacht uns wieder ab
Samt Pulver und Blei und alledem
Trotz alledem und alledem –
Trotz Parlament und alledem –
Wir werden uns're Büchsen los
Soldatenwild trotz alledem!
Heißt "Gnäd'ger Herr" das Bürschlein dort –
Man sieht's am Stolz und alledem
Und lenkt auch Hunderte sein Wort
Es bleibt ein Tropf trotz alledem
Trotz alledem und alledem
Trotz Band und Stern und alledem –
Ein Mann von unabhän'gem Sinn
Schaut zu und lacht, trotz alledem
Und wenn der Reichstag sich blamiert
Professorhaft, trotz alledem!
Und wenn der Teufel regiert
Mit Huf und Horn und alledem –
Trotz alledem und alledem
Es kommt dazu, trotz alledem
Dass rings der Mensch die Bruderhand
Dem Menschen reicht, trotz alledem!
Trotz alledem und alledem
Es kommt dazu, trotz alledem
Dass rings der Mensch die Bruderhand
Dem Menschen reicht, trotz alledem!
Hannes Wader's song Trotz alledem speaks of a hope that despite the difficult times we face, we will still continue to persevere and fight for what is right. The lyrics recognize that life can be full of challenges, such as harsh winters and losing the weapons that we need to protect ourselves. Yet, despite all of these struggles, Wader encourages listeners to push forward and continue to fight for justice and to stand up against those who abuse power.
The song references various places and people, including Vienna (Austria) and Berlin (Germany), as well as a "Reichstag" and a "Gnäd'ger Herr" (respectful sir). Through these references, Wader suggests that no matter where we are or who is in power, there will always be individuals who abuse that power and attempt to silence others. However, despite these challenges, there will always be those who stand up for what is right and work to create a better world for all.
Overall, Hannes Wader's Trotz alledem is a song that encourages listeners to remain hopeful and continue to fight for justice, even in the face of adversity. It recognizes that life is not always easy, but it highlights the importance of remaining steadfast and holding onto our beliefs and values in order to make a positive difference in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Das war 'ne heiße Märzenzeit
The month of March was hot and dry
Trotz Regen, Schnee und alledem!
Despite the rain and snow that followed
Nun aber, da es Blüten schneit
Now that the flowers are falling
Nun ist es kalt, trotz alledem!
It is still cold despite the flowers
Trotz alledem und alledem –
In spite of everything,
Trotz Wien, Berlin und alledem –
In spite of being in Vienna or Berlin,
Ein schnöder scharfer Winterwind
A brutal and cutting winter wind
Durchfröstelt uns trotz alledem!
Pierces through us in spite of everything
Die Waffen, die der Sieg uns gab
The weapons gained from victorious battles
Der Sieg des Rechts, trotz alledem
Victory of the law in spite of everything
Die nimmt man sacht uns wieder ab
Those are taken from us slowly
Samt Pulver und Blei und alledem
Together with the powder and lead
Trotz alledem und alledem –
In spite of everything,
Trotz Parlament und alledem –
In spite of having a parliament,
Wir werden uns're Büchsen los
We will get rid of our guns
Soldatenwild trotz alledem!
We will still be fierce soldiers in spite of everything!
Heißt 'Gnäd'ger Herr' das Bürschlein dort –
When that boy is called 'gracious sir,'
Man sieht's am Stolz und alledem
One can see the pride he has
Und lenkt auch Hunderte sein Wort
And even his words can influence hundreds
Es bleibt ein Tropf trotz alledem
But he remains a fool in spite of everything
Trotz alledem und alledem
In spite of everything,
Trotz Band und Stern und alledem –
In spite of having a title or status,
Ein Mann von unabhän'gem Sinn
A man with independent thoughts
Schaut zu und lacht, trotz alledem
Looks on and laughs in spite of everything
Und wenn der Reichstag sich blamiert
And when the parliament embarrasses itself
Professorhaft, trotz alledem!
In a professorial manner, in spite of everything!
Und wenn der Teufel regiert
And when the devil rules
Mit Huf und Horn und alledem –
With hooves and horns and all that,
Trotz alledem und alledem
In spite of everything,
Es kommt dazu, trotz alledem
But in spite of everything,
Dass rings der Mensch die Bruderhand
People all around will lend a helping hand
Dem Menschen reicht, trotz alledem!
And extend it to their fellow man in spite of everything!
Trotz alledem und alledem
In spite of everything,
Es kommt dazu, trotz alledem
But in spite of everything,
Dass rings der Mensch die Bruderhand
People all around will lend a helping hand
Dem Menschen reicht, trotz alledem!
And extend it to their fellow man in spite of everything!
Contributed by Carson V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.