Herbert Arthur Wiglev Clamor Grönemeyer (born April 12, 1956) is a German musician and actor, popular in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. He starred as war correspondent Lieutenant Werner in Wolfgang Petersen's movie Das Boot, but later concentrated on his musical career. His fifth album, 4630 Bochum (1984) and his 20th album Mensch, (Human) (2002) are the best-selling German-language records of all time. He lives and works in London but remains extremely successful in all German-speaking countries.
Click below to listen to the song 'Mensch' and read the German lyrics:
The following translation is more literal than poetic and is just intended to help you understand the song. The word 'Mensch' can be translated into English as man or human.
Herbert Grönemeyer: Mensch
Right now is right
Right now is good
Nothing's really important
After low tide comes high tide
On the beach of life
Without reason, without understanding
Nothing is in vain
I build my dreams on the sand
And it is, it is okay
Everything on the way
It's a sunny time
Unburdened and free
And man is called man
Because he forgets, because he represses
Because he's enthusiastic and toughens up
He warms up when he tells tales
And because he laughs, because he lives, you're missed
The firmament has opened up
Cloudless and ocean blue
And telephone, gas, electricity
Unpaid and that's all right
Share your peace with me
Even if it's only borrowed
I don't want your love
I only want your word
And it is, it is okay
Everything on the way
It's a sunny time
Clear and easy
And man is called man
And because he errs, and because he struggles
Because he hopes and loves
Because he empathizes and forgives
And because he laughs, and because he lives, you're missed
Oh, because he laughs, because he lives, you're missed
Oh, its okay
Everything on the way
It's a sunny time
Clear and easy
And man is called man
Because he forgets, because he suppresses
And because he's enthusiastic and believes
Depends on and trusts
And because he laughs, because he lives, you're missed
Oh, it's quite okay
It hurts the same all over
It's a sunny time
Without any plan, without accompaniment
And man is called man
Because he remembers, because he struggles
Because he hopes and loves
Because he empathizes and forgives
And because he laughs, and because he lives, you're missed
Oh, because he laughs, and because he lives, you're missed
Ohh, lalalay...
- from the MENSCH CD (2002)
Right now is good
Nothing's really important
After low tide comes high tide
On the beach of life
Without reason, without understanding
Nothing is in vain
I build my dreams on the sand
And it is, it is okay
Everything on the way
It's a sunny time
Unburdened and free
And man is called man
Because he forgets, because he represses
Because he's enthusiastic and toughens up
He warms up when he tells tales
And because he laughs, because he lives, you're missed
The firmament has opened up
Cloudless and ocean blue
And telephone, gas, electricity
Unpaid and that's all right
Share your peace with me
Even if it's only borrowed
I don't want your love
I only want your word
And it is, it is okay
Everything on the way
It's a sunny time
Clear and easy
And man is called man
And because he errs, and because he struggles
Because he hopes and loves
Because he empathizes and forgives
And because he laughs, and because he lives, you're missed
Oh, because he laughs, because he lives, you're missed
Oh, its okay
Everything on the way
It's a sunny time
Clear and easy
And man is called man
Because he forgets, because he suppresses
And because he's enthusiastic and believes
Depends on and trusts
And because he laughs, because he lives, you're missed
Oh, it's quite okay
It hurts the same all over
It's a sunny time
Without any plan, without accompaniment
And man is called man
Because he remembers, because he struggles
Because he hopes and loves
Because he empathizes and forgives
And because he laughs, and because he lives, you're missed
Oh, because he laughs, and because he lives, you're missed
Ohh, lalalay...
- from the MENSCH CD (2002)
Just listened this song on my German 101 course, I really liked it! but I had a pretty hard time filling the words (for the exercise). I also have one question there is a speaking rule in German as in English when there is a vowel followed by a consonant to join the syllables of the words an pronouncing them as only one? (not sure if I explained myself :P) Thanks anyway, great Blog!
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