Wozu sind Kriege da?
Udo Lindenberg Lyrics

Keiner will sterben, das ist doch klar
Everyone values their life and does not want to die.

Wozu sind denn dann Kriege da?
If no one wants to die, then why do we have wars?

Herr Präsident, du bist doch einer von diesen Herren
Addressing the President as one of the leaders in charge of making decisions about war.

Du musst das doch wissen
Reminding the President that he should have knowledge about war.

Kannst du mir das mal erklären?
Asking the President to explain the reasons behind war.

Keine Mutter will ihre Kinder verlieren
No mother wants to lose their child to war.

Und keine Frau ihren Mann
No woman wants to lose their partner to war.

Also warum müssen Soldaten losmarschieren
Questioning why soldiers have to march into war and risk their lives.

Um Menschen zu ermorden, mach mir das mal klar
Asking for an explanation as to why soldiers are sent to kill people.

Wozu sind Kriege da?
Once again questioning the purpose of wars.

Herr Präsident, ich bin jetzt zehn Jahre alt
Addressing the President as a child who is concerned about the future of the world.

Und ich fürchte mich in diesem Atomraketenwald
Expressing fear about the danger of living in a world with nuclear weapons.

Sag mir die Wahrheit, sag mir das jetzt
Asking the President to tell the truth about the reasons behind wars.

Wofür wird mein Leben auf's Spiel gesetzt?
Questioning the justification for putting his life in danger due to war.

Und das Leben all der andern, sag mir mal warum
Asking why the lives of others are also put at risk due to war.

Sie laden die Gewehre und bringen sich gegenseitig um
Referring to the senselessness of soldiers killing each other with their weapons.

Sie stehn sich gegenüber und könnten Freunde sein
Noting the potential for opposing sides to connect and be friends if given the chance.

Doch bevor sie sich kennenlernen, schießen sie sich tot
Commenting on the tragedy that occurs when soldiers are sent to kill without understanding each other's humanity.

Ich find' das so bekloppt, warum muss das so sein?
Expressing frustration at the irrationality of war and questioning its necessity.

Habt ihr alle Milliarden Menschen überall auf der Welt
Questioning whether all the people in the world have been consulted about the decision to go to war.

Gefragt, ob sie das so wollen
Asking if people have been given the opportunity to voice their opinions about war.

Oder geht's da auch um Geld?
Suggesting that financial interests may contribute to the decision to wage war.

Viel Geld für die wenigen Bonzen
Referencing the powerful and wealthy few who profit from war and the arms industry.

Die Panzer und Raketen bauen
Calling attention to the people who manufacture weapons of war.

Und dann Gold und Brillanten kaufen
Suggesting that the wealthy elites spend their profits on luxury items like gold and diamonds.

Für ihre eleganten Frauen
Suggesting that the wives of the wealthy elites benefit from the spoils of war.

Oder geht's da nebenbei auch um so religiösen Zwist
Highlighting the role that religious differences can play in fomenting conflict and war.

Dass man sich nicht einig wird
Pointing out the divisive nature of religious differences that can lead to conflict.

Welcher Gott nun der wahre ist?
Questioning the idea that there can only be one true God and that disagreement over this leads to war.

Oder was gibt's da noch für Gründe
Asking if there are other reasons for waging war.

Die ich genauso bescheuert find'
Dismissing other possible reasons for war as equally nonsensical.

Na ja, vielleicht kann ich's noch nicht verstehen
Admitting that as a child, he may not fully comprehend the reasons behind war.

Wozu Kriege nötig sind
Reiterating the central question of the song, questioning the necessity of war.

Ich bin wohl noch zu klein
Acknowledging that as a child, he may not have all the knowledge and understanding necessary to comprehend war fully.