Marius Müller Westernhagen
(lately a.k.a. just as "Westernhagen")
Freiheit (Freedom)
(video)
Original (c) Westernhagen
Friends: "Ja... nochmal!" ("Yeah... once more!")
Marius: "Das sind diese Scheißkerzen, die immer wieder angehen!" (kidding: "They are those damn [joke] candles that light again and again!")
[GERMAN original, English see below]
Die Verträge sind gemacht,
und es wurde viel gelacht.
Und was Süßes zum Dessert - Freiheit, Freiheit
Die Kapelle rum-ta-ta,
und der Papst war auch schon da!
Und mein Nachbar vorneweg:
Freiheit, Freiheit
ist die einzige, die fehlt!
Freiheit, Freiheit
ist die einzige, die fehlt!
Der Mensch ist leider nicht naiv
der Mensch ist leider primitiv
Freiheit, Freiheit
wurde wieder abbestellt!
Alle, die von Freiheit träumen
soll'n das Feiern nicht versäumen!! (So wie wir heute Abend hier!!)
Sollen tanzen, auch auf Gräbern
Freiheit, Freiheit
ist das Einzige, was zählt (So, kommt jetzt!)
[Publikum] Freiheit, Freiheit
[zusammen] ist das einzige, das zählt!
[ENGLISH translation]
The treaties have been done
and there had been so much fun
And then something sweet for afters - freedom, freedom
The band plays with fanfare
and the pope was also there!
And my neighbour right ahead:
Freedom, freedom
is the only missing thing!
Freedom, freedom
is the only missing thing!
Alas, man is not naïve
Alas, man is primitive
Freedom, freedom
has been canceled once again!
All for whom freedom is mere imagination
should not miss the celebration!! (Like us here tonight!!)
Should be dancing, even on graves
Freedom, freedom
is the one and only thing (Well, come on now!)
[audience] Freedom, freedom
[together] is the one and only thing!
Guitar fingerings from http://www.songtexte.to/s_id_43464/freiheit-gitarrengriffe.html
C G - d
Die Verträge sind gemacht,
C - e
und es wurde viel gelacht,
d
und was Süßes zum Dessert,
C G G a - C
Freiheit, Freiheit . . .
How can you convey what freedom feels like? Often it's taken for granted, and you miss it only when it's gone. I'm not saying the current system is perfect, but it's the best I've seen so far - because it distributes the Yin and Yang of power so nicely: freedom and responsibility - it's can be yours if you want it, but you won't be the only one clutching it. Everyone participates in the decision wether to allow you to use the power, the allowance is limited in time and you're overwatched closely how you make use of it.
What else is remarkable about the date 08/08/08? Some people prefer to marry, even though statistics say that couples who specifically choose special marriage dates divorce earlier than 'normal' ones. (Because that date plays a more important role than the actual bonding?) And in Chinese culture, the number "eight" is a symbol of luck. It's also 'luck' that the Tiananmen massacre is only 19 years ago, so the two decades 'anniversary' isn't going to happen before 2009. With all the Olympic jazz it's hard to get through the reminder of a similar massacre that very well happened 20 years ago, on 08/08/1988: the uprising for freedom in Birma / Myanmar that was beaten down violently. The BBC Worldservice is featuring it with "The Tiger's Tale" this Saturday at 20:00GMT. After the students gather in front of the city hall, at midnight the electricity was cut and under the hide of darkness, riot police surrounded the area. After the gathered people refused to dissipate, the forces started to use violence inbcluding shooting. The next morning the area was still blocked, but the pools of blood weren't even dry, sandals and slippers were scattered around the place. From all those who continue their support, today let's pick the Canadian embassy to say thanks to.
Despite the corruption and politic implications, I wish the athletes to enjoy their games and have the experience that Olympia is so famous for. After the Olympic flame is brought into the Bird's Nest stadium to ignite the local Olympic fire, I hope some sparks will jump over in form of ideas to take a peak beyond one's own nest. Maybe a strengthened self-confidence will let China feel less like the underdog and, in consequence, let the state become less fearful of its own people. |
