On November 24, 2011 Hirsch committed suicide, by jumping from a window at Wilhelminenspital, a major hospital in Vienna. He was 65.
Discography:
1978 "Dunkelgraue Lieder" (Darkgrey songs)
1979 "Komm, grosser schwarzer Vogel" (Come, big black bird)
1980 "Zartbitter" (Bittersweet)
1982 "Bis zum Himmel hoch" (High up to the sky)
1983 "Bis ins Herz" (Into the heart)
1984 "6 - Traurige Indianer + Unfreundliche Kellner" (6 - Sad Indians + Unfriendly Waiters)
1986 "Landluft" (Country air)
1988 "Liebestoll" (Lovesick)
1991 "In meiner Sprache" (In my language)
1992 "Gottlieb - Live"
1995 "Tierisch" (Animalistic)
1999 "Dunkelgrau - Live" (Darkgrey - Live)
2002 "Perlen" (Pearls)
2006 "In Ewigkeit Amen" (Forever and ever dames)
Der Pinguin
Ludwig Hirsch Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The song "Der Pinguin" by Ludwig Hirsch tells the story of a small penguin who sets out on a journey to the south to find out how flamingos kiss. People he encounters on his way tell him that he is foolish and that the heat in Africa will be his downfall. However, the penguin is determined and ends up at Tanganjikasee where he begins his search for a mate, all dressed up in his tuxedo. Eventually, the penguin meets Flam-inge, a flamingo with whom he falls in love. They spend their days together, kissing and enjoying the sun. However, one day, while they are sharing a kiss, the penguin suffers a stroke and dies.
The song appears to be a commentary on human nature and the desire to explore the unknown, even when it may be dangerous. It also speaks to the notion of love and sacrifice, as the penguin gives his life in the pursuit of his desires. The song’s lyrics also highlight the absurdity of the situation and the irony of the penguin's ultimate fate.
Line by Line Meaning
A kleiner Pinguin, watschelt Richtung Süden, und jeder fragt ihn, den er trifft, was er dort will.
A small penguin waddles southward and everyone he meets asks him what he's doing.
"Ich will wissen, wie küssen die Flamingos", und alle greifen sich am Kopf:"Gott bist Du dumm, die Hitze da unten bringt dich um!"
"I want to know how flamingos kiss," and everyone reacts by grabbing their head saying,"God, you're stupid, the heat down there will kill you!"
Das ist ihm wurscht, da er kann's selber gar nichtglauben, ist er in Afrika am Tanganjikasee, und unser Pinguin, der geht sofort auf Brautschau, auf elegant, a bisserl gelackt in sein Frack,- sonst nackt.
He doesn't care since he doesn't even believe himself, he's in Africa by Lake Tanganyika, and our penguin immediately goes on a waltz, dressed elegantly and slightly shiny in his tuxedo, otherwise, he'd be naked.
Mein Gott nehmt's es ihm ned krumm,'s is halt die Sehnsucht nach der Sunn.
God, don't hold it against him, it's just his longing for the sun.
"Na, du kleiner schwarz - weißer Schlingel,"gurrt ihm plötzlich jemand ins Ohr."Wie heißt Du denn, ich heiß Flam-inge."
"Well, you little black and white rascal," someone suddenly murmurs in his ear, "What's your name? Mine is Flam-inge."
Mein Gott, wie oft hat er's im Traum daheimscho g'sehen, in ihrem rosaroten Negligé!
God, how many times has he dreamt of her in her pink negligee back home!
Kinder, zwei so verrückte Vögelhat man am Tanganjikastrand noch nie gesehen, aber leider mitten drinn im schönsten Schnäbeln, trifft ihn der Schlag, von der Sunn, und er fallt um!? bum!
Kids, two crazy birds have never been seen on the shore of Lake Tanganyika, but unfortunately in the middle of their beautiful beaks, he's struck by the sun and falls down!? Bam!
Mein Gott nehmt's es ihm ned krumm,'s war die Sehnsucht nach der Sunn.
God, don't hold it against him, it was just his longing for the sun.
Writer(s): ludwig hirsch
Contributed by Addison L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.