Vaterland
Konstantin Wecker Lyrics

Vata is des wirklich wahr
The singer questions the truthfulness of whether their father was actually a socialist fighting in the resistance during the 1930s.

warst du wirklich a Sozi in die dreißiger Jahr ?
The singer asks their father if he actually was a socialist during the 1930s.

Warst du wirklich damals im Widerstand
The singer questions if their father was truly part of the resistance during that time.

hast gekämpft gegns eigene Vaterland ?
The artist asks if their father fought against his own country.

i muass mi schama
The artist expresses shame and embarrassment over their situation.

i möcht an andern Nama
The singer wishes they were known by a different name, one not associated with communism.

in der Schul' du glaubst ned wie peinlich des is da heissen's di an Kommunist.
The singer reveals the embarrassment they feel in school when they are referred to as a communist, and that their father doesn't understand how uncomfortable that makes them.

Und der Bua träumt von Recht und Ordnung von an gsunden graden Tritt und im Geist da hört ers marschieren und im Geist da marschiert er scho mit.
The artist discusses their son's dreams of law and order, and how those dreams are becoming radicalized and aligned with the idea of marching and following authoritarian leaders.

Und der Vata woass ned aus no ein so weit is scho kumma mit der Duckerei mit Kommunistenhatz und Berufsverbot und Wirtschaftswunder und Arbeitsnot.
The artist acknowledges that their father is struggling with the changing political climate and the rise of anti-communist sentiment, as well as economic struggles.

Da wehrst di dei Lebn lang gegen all den Schutt und dann machas dafür dein Sohn kaputt.
The artist feels frustrated that they have spent their entire life fighting against the unfairness of their society, only to see their son fall victim to the same type of propaganda and radicalism they have been trying to fight against.

Und der Vata nimmt si a Nacht lang Zeit und verzählt dem Buam von der Unmenschlichkeit von Kriag von KZ von Feigheit der Leit und er plärrt paß auf die macha si bald wieder breit !
The singer explains that their father tries to educate their son on the horrors of war and torture, and how easy it is for society to fall back into that level of violence and cruelty.

Dann packt der Bua seine Sachen sagt: Vata da muass i doch lachen du kannst es doch überall lesen des is doch ganz anders geweswn.
The artist describes their son leaving home after dismissing his father's warnings as unfounded, due to what he has read elsewhere.

Und dann träumt er von hohen Stiefeln und von Männern aus Stahl und Granit und im Geist da hört er Trompeten und im Geist da marschiert er schon mit.
The singer expresses concern that their son's dreams are becoming more and more aligned with authoritarianism, as he imagines powerful leaders in dramatic uniforms leading him and others like him.

Und a paar Wocha später steht der Bua vor der Tür und zittert und flüster: i ko nix dafür die macha Ernst die basteln Granaten die redn von Volkssturm und Attentaten.
The singer reveals that their worst fears have come true, with their son becoming involved with dangerous people who are discussing violence and terrorism.

wir ham - i trau mirs gor ned sagn gestern Nacht im Streit an Mann erschlagn.
The singer shares the tragic outcome of their son's radicalization, admitting that he was involved in a violent altercation the previous night which resulted in someone losing their life.

Und der Vata denkt an früher hört die grausamen Stiefel marschieren und im Geist da marschieren di noch immer und schon morgen ko des wieder passieren.
The artist's father mourns the good old days when he fought for what he believed was right, as he imagines the sounds of violent boots still marching and knows that the cycle of violence could start up again at any moment due to the rising tension in society.

Und wie so viele andere kriagt er an Zorn was is bloß wieder aus Deutschland worn ? Mit Kommunistenhatz und Berufsverbot mit Wirtschaftswunder und Arbeitsnot. Da wehrst di dei Lebn lang gegen all den Schutt da machas dafür deine Kinder kaputt.
The artist's father shares the anger and frustration of so many others, who see the rise of anti-communist propaganda and economic struggles as tearing the country apart and hurting families like theirs in the process.