Treibsand
Heldmaschine Lyrics

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Nur ein kurzer Augenblick
bis mir die Sinne schwinden
Um meinem Hals ein rauer Strick,
hat mir gebrochen das Genick

Kein Atemzug
Du stehst allein
Verdorbenheit

kann strafbar sein

Mein Körper hängt
schon seelenleer
und unter dir
ein Tränenmeer

Treibsand
Und dein Licht erlischt im
Treibsand
und wehrst dich nur mit halber Kraft
Treibsand
Und dich an meine Seit' gespannt
Treibsand
Die Augen heiß, das Herz so kalt

Der Körper kühl,
die Tränen warm
Ach, hielt ich dich
in meinem Arm

Mein Seelenruf,
er reißt an dir
Aus dunkler Nacht
treibst du zu mir

Die Finsternis
dir sehr gefällt
So treibst du nun
in meine Welt

In guten wie in schlechten Zeiten,
bis dass der Tod uns vereint

Treibsand
Und du erliegst der Kraft im
Treibsand
hat die Lebenslust verbannt
Treibsand
und dich an meine Seit' gespannt

Treibsand
hat dir das Leben abverlangt

Overall Meaning

The song "Treibsand" by Heldmaschine speaks about a person's struggle to keep their head above water, both literally and figuratively. The lyrics describe a moment where the singer's senses start to fade, and they feel the weight of a noose around their neck, causing them to lose consciousness. In the following lines, they describe being left alone and feeling emptiness within themselves. The concept of treibsand, meaning quicksand in German, is used to illustrate the struggle of being trapped and sinking in a substance that is impossible to escape. The idea of light and darkness is also present in the lyrics, with the light extinguishing in the treibsand while darkness takes over. The singer then talks about how they wish they could be with their loved one, and how they call out to them in desperation. They describe the other person being drawn to them from a dark place where they enjoy the misery they experience. Finally, the song concludes with the idea of being together in good and bad times until death unites them.

The song has a powerful message about the struggles people face when dealing with a difficult situation. It describes the feeling of being overwhelmed and trapped, as well as the desire to be with someone you love and trust. The imagery of sinking in treibsand provides an apt metaphor for these struggles, as they can feel impossible to overcome. Overall, the song evokes a sense of desperation, pain, and longing, but also an undeniable raw emotion that can be both gripping and inspiring.

Line by Line Meaning

Nur ein kurzer Augenblick, bis mir die Sinne schwinden
The singer is on the verge of losing consciousness, with his senses fading rapidly.

Um meinem Hals ein rauer Strick, hat mir gebrochen das Genick
Someone or something has strangled the singer with a rough rope, causing them to break their neck in the process.

Kein Atemzug, Du stehst allein
The singer has ceased breathing, and the second person in the song is alone.

Verdorbenheit kann strafbar sein
The corruption or wickedness of the second person's actions may be punishable by law.

Mein Körper hängt schon seelenleer, und unter dir ein Tränenmeer
The artist's lifeless body hangs while beneath them, tears pool around the second person.

Treibsand, Und dein Licht erlischt im Treibsand, und wehrst dich nur mit halber Kraft
The second person is slowly sinking into quicksand, their light flickering out as they struggle with only half their strength to resist their fate.

Treibsand, Und dich an meine Seit' gespannt, Treibsand, Die Augen heiß, das Herz so kalt
The quicksand has brought the second person to the singer's side, their eyes burning and their heart icy.

Der Körper kühl, die Tränen warm, Ach, hielt ich dich in meinem Arm
The artist's body has grown cold after death, while the second person's tears remain warm. The artist wishes they still had the second person in their arms.

Mein Seelenruf, er reißt an dir, Aus dunkler Nacht treibst du zu mir
The artist's soul is calling out to the second person, drawing them from the darkness towards the artist.

Die Finsternis dir sehr gefällt, So treibst du nun in meine Welt
The second person was attracted to the darkness, and so they are now drifting towards the artist's realm.

In guten wie in schlechten Zeiten, bis dass der Tod uns vereint
The singer and the second person will be united in death, regardless of the good or bad times they shared.

Treibsand, Und du erliegst der Kraft im Treibsand, hat die Lebenslust verbannt, Treibsand, Und dich an meine Seit' gespannt, Treibsand, hat dir das Leben abverlangt
The second person succumbs to the power of the quicksand, losing their will to live and dying beside the artist. The quicksand has taken their life.

Contributed by London N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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