In 1963, Maffay and his parents emigrated from the Siebenbürgen region in Romania to Germany, like other Transylvanian Saxons. In the same year, he started his first band, The Dukes. After completing his education and spending some time working for Chemigraphics, an art manufacturer, Maffay worked in clubs, where he distributed his music.
Peter Maffay's career began in 1969 with the publication of his first single, "Du" (You in German). It was the biggest German hit in 1970 and brought Maffay instant fame. With the album Steppenwolf in 1979, Maffay became a major music star in Germany. The album sold 1.6 million copies, making it the best selling LP at that time. In 1980, the album Revanche (Revenge) broke his previous record, selling 2.1 million copies.
Maffay holds the German record for the most number one ranked singles in the single and album sales charts, including 12 albums. In addition, most of his studio albums reached the top ten. He also holds a German record for most albums to have sold over one million copies, with 14. His latest album ,Laut und Leise (Loud and Quiet), became the fourteenth.
Altogether, Maffay has sold over 35 million records. Since 1980, each of his 13 tours (roughly every 2 years) has ranked among the three most visited attractions each season in Germany, with nine of them ranked first in that category.
Maffay also created a string of fairy tales about a little green dragon named Tabaluga, which was spread out onto four albums. The piece was also turned into a musical. Maffay went on tour individually with Tabaluga & Lilli in Germany; he later released a live album, DVD and live TV broadcast. The tour included Peter Maffay, Alexis, Nino de Angelo, Rufus Beck, and Carl Carlton among others.
In 1998, Maffay collaborated to create an album with artists from all corners of the world, including Aboriginal singers and musicians from Israel.
He also starred in two films directed by Peter Patzak - The Joker in 1986, and Captured in Yemen in 1999. In addition, Maffay played a supporting role in the feature "The Polar Bear".
Der Baum des Lebens
Peter Maffay Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wie das Leben neu in mir erwacht
Bin stolz, wenn ich die ersten Blüten trage
Die bald darauf die Sonne zu reifen Früchten macht
Im Sommer fange ich die Sonnenstrahlen
Und neben mir legt mancher seinen müden Kopf zur Ruh
Wenn meine Blätter Schattenbilder malen
Ich geb den Vögeln ihr Zuhaus, die Bienen fliegen ein und aus
Wer zu mir kommt macht seine Reise nicht vergebens
Ich brauch die Erde, Luft und Licht
Und bis mein letzter Zweig zerbricht
Bin ich für alle der Baum des Lebens
Bin ich für alle der Baum des Lebens
Im Herbst lass ich mich von den Stürmen biegen
Und schenke dieser Welt die allerschönste Farbenpracht
Seh meine Blätter hoch im Winde fliegen und weiß
Dass ihre Freude den Abschied leichter macht
Im Winter trag ich Schnee auf meinen Zweigen
Und spür die Ewigkeit in manchem stillen Augenblick
Ich sammle neue Kraft in meinem Schweigen
Und gebe sie bald wieder tausendfach zurück
Ich geb den Vögeln ihr Zuhaus, die Bienen fliegen ein und aus
Wer zu mir kommt macht seine Reise nicht vergebens
Ich brauch die Erde, Luft und Licht
Und bis mein letzter Zweig zerbricht
Bin ich für alle der Baum des Lebens
Bin ich für alle der Baum des Lebens
The song "Der Baum des Lebens" by Peter Maffay is a beautiful ode to the tree of life. The singer describes how the tree experiences each season, from the awakening of new life in spring to the peaceful shade it provides in summer. The tree becomes a home to birds and bees, and the singer recognizes that anyone who comes to the tree does not journey in vain. As the tree experiences the changing of the leaves in fall and the stillness of winter, it gains strength to once again provide life-giving energy in the coming year. Ultimately, the tree is a symbol of the cycle of life and the importance of standing strong and providing shelter and nourishment for all who need it.
The lyrics of "Der Baum des Lebens" are filled with beautiful imagery and metaphors that make the song a poetic masterpiece. One interesting fact about the song is that it was inspired by Maffay's own experiences in nature, particularly the awe he felt while spending time in forests. The song was also a major hit in Germany, where it reached the number one spot on the charts. It has since become one of Maffay's most beloved and iconic songs, and has been covered by countless artists in both Germany and other countries around the world.
Overall, "Der Baum des Lebens" is a deeply philosophical and moving song that speaks to the universal human experience of finding meaning and purpose in the natural world.
Possible chords:
Verse: Am, G, F, E
Chorus: C, G, Am, F
Line by Line Meaning
Im Frühling zähl ich ruhelos die Tage und spüre
In spring, I eagerly anticipate the new beginning of life and growth within myself.
Wie das Leben neu in mir erwacht
I feel invigorated and rejuvenated when new life emerges within me.
Bin stolz, wenn ich die ersten Blüten trage
I take pride in being the first to display the beauty of spring with the blossoming of my flowers.
Die bald darauf die Sonne zu reifen Früchten macht
My blooming flowers will soon bear fruit, ripening in the sun's warmth.
Im Sommer fange ich die Sonnenstrahlen
During summer, I bask in the warmth of the sun's rays.
Und neben mir legt mancher seinen müden Kopf zur Ruh
People come to rest beneath my branches, finding peace and relaxation in my shade.
Wenn meine Blätter Schattenbilder malen
As my leaves sway in the breeze, they create patterns of light and shadow on the ground.
Dann singen sie im Wind und ich hör ihren Liedern zu
As they rustle in the wind, my leaves make a soothing melody that I love to hear.
Ich geb den Vögeln ihr Zuhaus, die Bienen fliegen ein und aus
Birds make their homes in my branches, while bees buzz in and out, pollinating the flowers that grow from me.
Wer zu mir kommt macht seine Reise nicht vergebens
Those who seek me out will not regret their journey, as I provide a peaceful and nurturing environment.
Ich brauch die Erde, Luft und Licht
I require the essential elements of earth, air, and light to thrive and grow.
Und bis mein letzter Zweig zerbricht
I will continue to grow and provide for all those around me, until my very last branch breaks.
Bin ich für alle der Baum des Lebens
I serve as a symbol of life, growth, and strength for all those who encounter me.
Im Herbst lass ich mich von den Stürmen biegen
During autumn, I bend to the force of the winds, giving way to the changing season.
Und schenke dieser Welt die allerschönste Farbenpracht
In return, I offer a stunning display of color, painting the world with the vivid hues of autumn.
Seh meine Blätter hoch im Winde fliegen und weiß
As my leaves fall and scatter in the wind, I know that their beauty will continue to live on.
Dass ihre Freude den Abschied leichter macht
Even as I let go of my leaves, I find joy in knowing that they will bring happiness to others as they continue to exist.
Im Winter trag ich Schnee auf meinen Zweigen
During winter, I bear the weight of snow on my branches, knowing that it will not break me.
Und spür die Ewigkeit in manchem stillen Augenblick
In quiet moments, I become aware of the timeless nature of my existence and the profound connection I have to the earth and all those around me.
Ich sammle neue Kraft in meinem Schweigen
As I rest through the winter, I gather the strength and energy I need to grow and thrive in the spring.
Und gebe sie bald wieder tausendfach zurück
Come springtime, I will return to full strength, offering more life and nourishment to the world around me than ever before.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PETER SCHIRMANN, ROLF ZUCKOWSKI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind