Ton Steine Scherben (Literal English translation: "Clay Stones Shards" or "… Read Full Bio ↴Ton Steine Scherben (Literal English translation: "Clay Stones Shards" or "Sound Stones Shards") were a German Anarchist rock band formed in 1970 in West Berlin, Germany when the members were all around 20 years of age. Singer Rio Reiser usually told journalists the name was taken from a description by pioneer archeologist Heinrich Schliemann of what he saw when he first came to the site of ancient Troy. Other members of the band claim it is a play on the name of German labor union Bau Steine Erden (Construction Stones Earths). It is also believed that the name is a tribute to The Rolling Stones.

They are considered to have been the first genuine German-language rock band, together with Udo Lindenberg. Their first big-stage appearance was at an Open-Air on 6 September 1970 on the Fehmarn stage where Jimi Hendrix had had his last appearance directly before. The stage went up in flames while they were still playing; probably it had been set on fire by people around Hendrix who had just received news that the event's organizers had disappeared with all the cash, but many people believed that Ton Steine Scherben had set the stage on fire, which gave them tremendous credibility in the radical scene.

Their style can be described as somewhere between the Rolling Stones and yet-to-be-invented Punk rock. All their Albums were self-published; they published few singles and are still very rarely played on most German radio stations. Their lyrics were at the beginning quite anti-capitalist and pro-socialist. They didn't think the socialism of the Soviet Union was anywhere near real socialism, but they had connections to the squatter scene and the German Red Army Faction terrorists during the time before the latter turned to violent crime and murder. Later Ton Steine Scherben toned down on socialism and added themes like freedom, love, drugs, and sadness. Most of their songs can be described as slightly mad, sometimes in a funny way, sometimes in a rather scary way. Ton Steine Scherben disbanded in 1985.

Halt dich an deiner Liebe fest
Ton Steine Scherben Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Wenn niemand bei dir is'
Und du denkst, dass keiner dich sucht
Und du hast die Reise ins Jenseits
Vielleicht schon gebucht
Und all die Lügen geben dir den Rest
Halt dich an deiner Liebe fest
Halt dich an deiner Liebe fest

Wenn der Frühling kommt und deine Seele brennt
Du wachst nachts auf aus deinen Träumen
Aber da is' niemand, der bei dir pennt
Wenn der, auf den du wartest
Dich sitzen lässt
Halt dich an deiner Liebe fest
Halt dich an deiner Liebe fest

Wenn der Novemberwind deine Hoffnung verweht
Und du bist so müde
Weil du nicht mehr weißt, wie's weitergeht
Wenn dein kaltes Bett dich nicht schlafen lässt
Halt dich an deiner Liebe fest
Halt dich an deiner Liebe fest

(Halt dich fest)
(Halt dich fest)
(Halt dich fest)
(Halt dich fest)
(Halt dich fest)
(Halt dich fest)
(Halt dich fest)
(Halt dich fest)
(Halt dich fest)
(Halt dich fest)
(Halt dich fest)
(Halt dich fest)
(Halt dich fest)
(Halt dich fest)
(Halt dich fest)
(Halt dich fest)
(Halt dich fest)
(Halt dich fest)
(Halt dich fest)
(Halt dich fest)
(Halt dich fest)
(Halt dich fest)
(Halt dich fest)
(Halt dich fest)
(Halt dich fest)
(Halt dich fest)
(Halt dich fest)
(Halt dich fest)
(Halt dich fest)
(Halt dich fest)
(Halt dich fest)
(Halt dich fest)
(Halt dich fest)
(Halt dich fest)
(Halt dich fest)
(Halt dich fest)

(Halt dich fest)
(Halt dich fest)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Halt dich an deiner Liebe fest" by Ton Steine Scherben tell a story of struggling with loneliness, despair, and uncertainty, but finding hope and comfort in love. The first verse depicts a person feeling abandoned and contemplating a suicidal journey to the afterlife, due to the overwhelming burden of lies and deceit in their life. However, the chorus advises them to hold onto their love, despite the difficulties, for it is the only thing that can provide solace in those dark moments.

The second verse illustrates the pain of unfulfilled romantic desires, of waiting and hoping for someone who disappoints and leaves them alone in their need. Again, the chorus suggests that holding onto the love they have, even if it is not reciprocated, is still worth it as it is something that brings warmth and light to their life.

Lastly, the third verse describes the desperation and weariness that can come when the future seems bleak and uncertain. The suggestion remains the same as before, to hold onto love as a way to find strength and meaning in the midst of struggle.

Overall, the song conveys an important message of hope amidst despair and encourages listeners to cherish love as a source of resilience and hope in difficult times.

Line by Line Meaning

Wenn niemand bei dir is' und du denkst, dass keiner dich sucht
When you feel alone and think that no one is looking for you

Und du hast die Reise ins Jenseits vielleicht schon gebucht
And you may have already booked your journey to the afterlife

Und all die Lügen geben Dir den Rest
And all the lies are consuming you

Halt dich an deiner Liebe fest
Hold onto your love

Wenn der Frühling kommt und deine Seele brennt
When spring comes and your soul is on fire

Du wachst nachts auf aus deinen Träumen
You wake up at night from your dreams

Aber da is' niemand, der bei dir pennt
But there is no one sleeping next to you

Wenn der, auf den du wartest Dich sitzen lässt
When the one you’re waiting for leaves you hanging

Halt dich an deiner Liebe fest
Hold onto your love

Wenn der Novemberwind deine Hoffnung verweht
When the November wind blows away your hope

Und du bist so müde, weil du nicht mehr weißt, wie's weitergeht
And you’re so tired because you don’t know what to do next