Barbara
Jürgen Walter Lyrics


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So viele Nächte, Barbara
Neben deiner unbeholfnen Hand
Neben deinem unruhvollen Blick
Sind schon vergangen

Wie viele Nächte, Barbara, atmet da die Haut für sich allein
Wenn man schlaflos ist und bleibt allein
Und hat Verlangen
Kaum noch nach dir
Weil ich müde bin zu geben
Was du nie verlangst von mir
Dein fahlgewordner Mund, dein schmalgewordner Mund
Wird ganz weich
Wenn deine Augen fremde Liebe sehen

Wie viele Nächte, Barbara
Liegst du neben mir und gehst davon
Hälst du mich zurück und gibst dich wem
Ich kann nicht fragen
Wie viele Narben, Barbara
Hat wohl meine Sehnsucht unterdes
Sieh, wie wir alt geworden sind
In wenig Tagen, wie viele Nächte
Lieg ich da und geh davon
Brech ich die Tür zur Straße auf
Ohne zu klagen
Ruf nicht nach mir
Weil ich müde bin zu geben
Was du nie verlangst von mir





Barbara

Overall Meaning

The song "Barbara" by Jürgen Walter tells the story of a relationship that has lost its spark. The lyrics evoke a sense of weariness and resignation as the singer reflects on how many nights he has spent beside his partner, Barbara, whose touch is now characterized as "unbeholfen" (awkward) and whose gaze is "unruhvoll" (restless). The singer recounts how many sleepless nights he has spent alone, feeling the weight of desire that has long since dwindled. He admits to being too tired to continue giving what Barbara never asks for, and he observes how she becomes soft and pliant whenever she glimpses someone else's love.


As the song progresses, it becomes clear that the relationship is in a state of turmoil. Barbara both stays by the singer's side and "geht davon" (leaves) him, holding him back while giving herself to another person. The singer is left with numerous "Narben" (scars) and a deep sense of longing that ages him beyond his years. Despite the pain, he is aware that he must continue on without Barbara's help, even if it means leaving her behind.


Overall, "Barbara" is a hauntingly beautiful song that captures the emotional complexities of a failing relationship. It highlights the moments of vulnerability and despair that can arise in even the strongest of partnerships, and it reminds us that sometimes the bravest thing we can do is let go.


Line by Line Meaning

So viele Nächte, Barbara
There have been numerous nights spent alongside Barbara's awkward hand and restless gaze.


Neben deiner unbeholfnen Hand
Next to Barbara's clumsy hand.


Neben deinem unruhvollen Blick
Next to Barbara's agitated gaze.


Sind schon vergangen
Many of these nights have already passed.


Wie viele Nächte, Barbara, atmet da die Haut für sich allein
How many nights has Barbara spent alone, breathing with only her own skin for company.


Wenn man schlaflos ist und bleibt allein
During sleepless nights, when one remains alone.


Und hat Verlangen
And has a desire.


Kaum noch nach dir
Almost no longer longing for you.


Weil ich müde bin zu geben
Because I am tired of giving.


Was du nie verlangst von mir
What you never ask of me.


Dein fahlgewordner Mund, dein schmalgewordner Mund
Your pallid, narrow mouth.


Wird ganz weich
Becomes very soft.


Wenn deine Augen fremde Liebe sehen
When your eyes see foreign love.


Wie viele Nächte, Barbara
How many nights, Barbara.


Liegst du neben mir und gehst davon
Do you lie next to me and then leave.


Hälst du mich zurück und gibst dich wem
Do you hold me back and give yourself to someone else.


Ich kann nicht fragen
I cannot ask.


Wie viele Narben, Barbara
How many scars, Barbara.


Hat wohl meine Sehnsucht unterdes
My longing must have accumulated these scars over time.


Sieh, wie wir alt geworden sind
Look at how old we have become.


In wenig Tagen, wie viele Nächte
In just a few short days how many nights have we had.


Lieg ich da und geh davon
I find myself lying there and drifting away.


Brech ich die Tür zur Straße auf
When I break open the door to the street.


Ohne zu klagen
Without complaint.


Ruf nicht nach mir
Don't call after me.


Weil ich müde bin zu geben
Because I am tired of giving.


Was du nie verlangst von mir
What you never ask of me.




Writer(s): Gisela Steineckert

Contributed by Thomas M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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