The first demo-tape "Nostalgische Atavismen" sold more than 500 copies in the worldwide underground, slowly spreading the news that "Samsas Traum" someday might become more than a very strange little band with even stranger german vocals. After recording and releasing two more demo- and promo-tapes, the band signed their record deal with "Trisol Music Group Germany" (London After Midnight, Sopor Aeternus, L'âme Immortelle) on the 1st of march 1999, exactly three years after the bands foundation. The chief-manager of "Trisol" got to know about "Samsas Traum" randomly; he was phoning "Orkus Magazine" concerning adverts, and the person in charge listened to the bands' latest promo-release while talking to him.
Der Steine Atem
Samsas Traum Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Unter Bäumen lebst
Und Dir aus ihren Wurzeln
Deine Kleider webst?
Der Steine Atem kennt nur,
Wer auf ihnen liegt,
Sich Nacht für Nacht an Moos und
Dürre Zweige schmiegt.
Wie viel hast Du mir schon genommen,
Wohin hast Du mich nicht geschickt,
So viele Stunden sind in mir an Dir erstickt.
Durch wie viel Blut bin ich geschwommen,
Ich habe nie das Licht geseh'n,
Durch welches Tal stummer Entbehrung
Sollte ich nicht an Deiner Seite geh'n?
Vom Waldesrand trennt Dich nur
Noch ein kurzes Stück,
Tritt auf das Feld hinaus, dann
Gibt es kein Zurück.
Im Dorf erwartet man Dich schon,
Es riecht nach Krieg,
Man kämpft um jede frohe
Stunde, will den Sieg.
Wer weiß, wie lange Du Dich
Noch vor mir versteckst,
Wann Du die spindeldürren
Finger nach mir ausstreckst,
Wer weiß, wann Deine Stimme
Durch das Dickicht dringt,
Mich aus dem Leben reißt, mich
Jäh zum Sterben zwingt?
In Samsas Traum's song "Der Steine Atem," the lyrics describe the singer's fear of the unknown and their past experiences with an entity only known as the "stone breath." The beginning of the song questions the length of time the singer has been living among the trees and using their roots to weave clothing. The "stone breath" is introduced as something only known to those who lay on rocks and cling to the night's dampness and thin branches. The singer's history with the stone breath is tumultuous; they question how much it has taken from them and where it has sent them. The lyrics suggest that the singer has been through difficult experiences and has never seen the "light" which implies hope or relief. The second half of the song changes tone and warns the singer that they are walking towards a war, and they will not be able to come back. The song ends with a fear of the unknown and when the stone breath will come back to take them away.
The song is an expressionist piece about the fears and traumas that come with the unknown. The lyrics are purposely ambiguous, and the meaning is left up to interpretation. The "stone breath" can be seen as a metaphor for the unknown or as a literal entity. The mention of war can be interpreted as a physical battle or the metaphorical battles we face in our daily lives. The ominous tone suggests that something terrible is waiting for the singer, which adds to the overall feeling of unease.
Line by Line Meaning
Wer weiß, wie lange Du schon
Unter Bäumen lebst
Und Dir aus ihren Wurzeln
Deine Kleider webst?
Who knows how long you've been living under trees, weaving your clothes out of their roots?
Der Steine Atem kennt nur,
Wer auf ihnen liegt,
Sich Nacht für Nacht an Moos und
Dürre Zweige schmiegt.
Only those who lay on the stones, cuddled up to the moss and dry twigs at night, know the breath of the stones.
Wie viel hast Du mir schon genommen,
Wohin hast Du mich nicht geschickt,
So viele Stunden sind in mir an Dir erstickt.
How much have you taken from me, where have you not sent me, so many hours have suffocated within me because of you.
Durch wie viel Blut bin ich geschwommen,
Ich habe nie das Licht geseh'n,
Durch welches Tal stummer Entbehrung
Sollte ich nicht an Deiner Seite geh'n?
How much blood have I swum through, never to see the light. Through which valley of silent deprivation shouldn't I have walked by your side?
Vom Waldesrand trennt Dich nur
Noch ein kurzes Stück,
Tritt auf das Feld hinaus, dann
Gibt es kein Zurück.
You are only separated from the edge of the forest by a short distance. Step out onto the field, and there will be no turning back.
Im Dorf erwartet man Dich schon,
Es riecht nach Krieg,
Man kämpft um jede frohe
Stunde, will den Sieg.
The village already awaits you, it smells of war. Everyone fights for every joyful hour, wanting victory.
Wer weiß, wie lange Du Dich
Noch vor mir versteckst,
Wann Du die spindeldürren
Finger nach mir ausstreckst,
Who knows how long you will still hide from me before you reach out your spindly fingers towards me.
Wer weiß, wann Deine Stimme
Durch das Dickicht dringt,
Mich aus dem Leben reißt, mich
Jäh zum Sterben zwingt?
Who knows when your voice will penetrate through the thicket, tearing me out of life and forcing me to die suddenly?
Contributed by Kayla I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.