Born on May 7, 1962, in Graz, Martin studied solo singing at Kunstuniversitдt Graz (i.e., University of Music and Dramatic Arts) in 1982 and, as a means of financing her studies, sung lead vocals in the tanzband the Heart Breakers from 1986 until 1992. Her band released one album, Dafьr Dank' Ich Dir (1990), billing itself as the Heart Breakers mit Dr. Ilse Bauer. During this period, Martin also studied art history and ethnology, earning her Ph.D. in 1990; from 1990 until 2000 she worked as an art teacher, starting her own ceramics business in Graz in 1994.
In 1995 Martin embarked on her solo singing career, signing to Koch Records and proceeding to release her solo debut, La Luna Blu (1996). The album spawned one of her all-time hits in the title track, which competed for the Grand Prix der Volksmusik, ultimately winning second place among Austrian participants. Martin's second album, Immer Nur Sehnsucht (1997), also put her in the running for the Austrian Grand Prix der Volksmusik, spawning the major hit "Goodbye Farewell." Martin's third album, Klinge Mein Lied (1999), became her most successful to date -- her first to reach gold sales status -- despite not spawning a hit on the level of "La Luna Blu" or "Goodbye Farewell."
Well established as a hitmaker with commercial appeal, Martin retired from teaching in 2000 and began focusing on her singing career full-time. A long string of popular albums resulted, including Mein Liebeslied (2000), Napoli Adieu (2001), Drei Stimmen d'Amour (2001; co-featuring Mara Kayer and Francine Jordi), Mein Gefьhl (2002), Das Beste von Monika Martin (2002), Himmel aus Glas (2003), Eine Liebe Reicht fьr Zwei (2004), Ave Maria: Lieder zur Stillen Zeit (2004), Ein Kleines Glьck (2005), Schmetterling d'Amour (2005), Heute Fьhl' Ich Mich Wie Zwanzig (2006), and Aloha Blue (2007) -- most of which were Top 20, if not Top Ten, hits in Austria and anywhere from Top 50 to Top 100 hits in Germany. Her most popular singles during this period include "Gib Einem Kind Deine Hand" (2000), "Schweige Mein Herz" (2000), "My Love" (2000), "Napoli Adieu" (2001), "Hast Du Heute Schon Gelдchelt" (2002), "Eine Liebe Reicht fьr Zwei" (2004), "Ich Trдum Mich Heute Nacht in Deine Arme" (2005), and "Heute Fьhl Ich Mich Wie Zwanzig" (2006). ~ Jason Birchmeier
Gib einem Kind deine Hand
Monika Martin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Steh noch einmal wie gebannt,
vor Winzigkeiten, die dir längst bekannt.
Gib einem Kind deine Hand
Halt ein Kind in deinem Arm,
hilflos und wehrlos und warm.
Und du wirst hilflos und wehrlos dabei.
Tröste ein Kind wenn es weint.
Und was dir Wichtig erscheint,
vor seinen Sorgen zählt das gar nicht mehr,
Sorgen der Kinder sind schwer.
Schenk einem Kind deine Zeit,
Zuneigung und Zärtlichkeit.
Tausch deinen Hass gegen Fröhlichkeit ein,
und wirst selbst wieder klein.
Halt dein Kind auf deinen Knie,
und bald wird es dich erziehen.
Wie wertlos Wichtige Dinge oft sind,
lernst du erst von einem Kind.
Zeig einem Kind selbst zu gehen,
auf eigenen Füssen zu stehen.
Die ersten Schritte noch so ungelenk.
Halt dein Kind für ein Geschenk.
Dann lern du ihm nicht im Wege zu stehen.
Lehre dein Kind, fort zu gehen.
The lyrics to Monika Martin's song "Gib einem Kind Deine Hand" encourage adults to appreciate the simple pleasures and joys of childhood. The first stanza advises adults to hold a child's hand and revisit the small things in life that have become all too familiar. The second stanza reminds us of the preciousness of a child held in our arms, and the powerful effect a child can have on adult vulnerability. The third and fourth stanzas focus on comforting and spending time with children, and how it can transform negative emotions, such as hate, into positive ones, like joy. Finally, the song urges adults to help children learn to stand on their own two feet and encourages them to strive for independence. The overall message of the song is that children have a lot to teach us about life, and adults should take the time to appreciate and learn from the innocence and wisdom of childhood.
Line by Line Meaning
Gib einem Kind deine Hand.
Offer a child your hand to hold.
Steh noch einmal wie gebannt, vor Winzigkeiten, die dir längst bekannt.
Pause and marvel at the small, familiar things in life as if seeing them for the first time.
Halt ein Kind in deinem Arm, hilflos und wehrlos und warm. Und du wirst hilflos und wehrlos dabei. Halt dein Kind für Zauberei.
Hold a child in your arms, feeling their helplessness and warmth, and allow yourself to feel vulnerable. See your child as magical.
Tröste ein Kind wenn es weint. Und was dir Wichtig erscheint, vor seinen Sorgen zählt das gar nicht mehr, Sorgen der Kinder sind schwer.
Comfort a child when they cry, realizing that what seemed important to you before means nothing in the face of their sadness. Children's worries are heavy.
Schenk einem Kind deine Zeit, Zuneigung und Zärtlichkeit. Tausch deinen Hass gegen Fröhlichkeit ein, und wirst selbst wieder klein.
Give a child your time, affection, and tenderness. Trade your hate for joy, and you will feel young again.
Halt dein Kind auf deinen Knie, und bald wird es dich erziehen. Wie wertlos Wichtige Dinge oft sind, lernst du erst von einem Kind.
Sit your child on your lap and soon they will teach you. You will discover the valuelessness of things you once thought were important, only by observing your child.
Zeig einem Kind selbst zu gehen, auf eigenen Füssen zu stehen. Die ersten Schritte noch so ungelenk. Halt dein Kind für ein Geschenk.
Teach a child to walk on their own two feet. Those first steps might be awkward, but consider your child a gift.
Dann lern du ihm nicht im Wege zu stehen. Lehre dein Kind, fort zu gehen.
And then, learn not to stand in their way. Teach your child to move forward.
Contributed by Madelyn A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Dan Liftman
on Goodbye Farewell
Sehr schoen!