Arbeit II
Oehl Lyrics

These lyrics from Oehl's song "Arbeit II" evoke a sense of oppression and entrapment within a seemingly Western-inspired context. The first paragraph describes a slow and painful death, with the singer being ridden to their demise by an unknown force. The imagery of a Western setting adds an element of ruggedness and desolation to the scene. The phrase "solange du hier stehen kannst" suggests that the force will continue to exploit and control the singer until they can no longer resist.

In the second paragraph, the lyrics portray a deceptive and manipulative figure who initially embraces the singer gently with tame hands. However, this initial tenderness quickly gives way to an act of restraining the singer with handcuffs. The lack of resistance suggests a distorted sense of acceptance and submission. The mention of "handschuhen aus Leder" (leather gloves) adds a touch of sadomasochistic imagery, signaling the beginning of a suffocating and oppressive experience.

The third paragraph reflects the yearning of the singer to be pure and innocent, comparing the desire to be as clean as thirty-year-old paper. Yet, despite this longing, the singer feels empty and has been involved in something for a long time, possibly referring to a cycle of labor or unhealthy patterns. The line "So wahr dir Geld helfe" suggests that money has somehow come to their aid, potentially alluding to the singer's necessity to continue this labor for financial reasons.

The repetition of the chorus in the final paragraph reaffirms the cycle of oppression and entanglement described earlier. The singer is embraced tenderly before being restrained without resistance, emphasizing the submissive relationship they have developed. The mention of "Würgen" (strangling) suggests a suffocating and potentially violent form of control. Overall, the lyrics of "Arbeit II" explore themes of entrapment, manipulation, and the struggle to break free from cycles of oppression and submission.