Buy Rammstein song “Engel” on Amazon
| Wer zu Lebzeit gut auf Erden | Who in their lifetime is good on Earth |
| wird nach dem Tod ein Engel werden | and will become an angel after death |
| den Blick gen Himmel fragst du dann | you look to the sky and ask |
| warum man sie nicht sehen kann | why can’t you see them |
| Erst wenn die Wolken schlafengehn | First if the clouds have gone to sleep |
| kann man uns am Himmel sehn | you can see us in the sky |
| wir haben Angst und sind allein | we are afraid and alone |
| Gott weiß ich will kein Engel sein | God knows I don’t want to be an angel |
| Sie leben hinterm Sonnenschein | They live behind the sunshine |
| getrennt von uns unendlich weit | separated from us, infinite expanse |
| sie müssen sich an Sterne krallen (ganz fest) | they must cling to the stars (very tightly) |
| damit sie nicht vom Himmel fallen | so they won’t fall from the sky |
| Erst wenn die Wolken schlafengehn | First if the clouds have gone to sleep |
| kann man uns am Himmel sehn | you can see us in the sky |
| wir haben Angst und sind allein | we are afraid and alone |
| Gott weiß ich will kein Engel sein | God knows I don’t want to be an angel |
| Erst wenn die Wolken schlafengehn | First if the clouds have gone to sleep |
| kann man uns am Himmel sehn | you can see us in the sky |
| wir haben Angst und sind allein | we are afraid and alone |
| Gott weiß ich will kein Engel sein | God knows I don’t want to be an angel |
This song is about how some people believe in angels, and that good people become them after death, but we wonder why we never can see them. The lyrics of this song can also be seen as doubting the existence of God. Near the end of each chorus, Till states, “God knows I don’t want to be an angel.”
Who in their lifetime is good on Earth
will become an angel after death <— Here there shouldn't be AND, it is the consequence of being good.
First if the clouds have gone to sleep <— too literal. Here is the 2nd meaning of ERST: erst (nicht früher als): only
Maybe what he’s really saying is that to become an angel you have to die and he really doesn’t want to die.
That’s the read I get from it too. Not anti-god but anti-death.
damn im just tryna enjoy the lyrics as I listen, yall are so hostile for what reason. just enjoy the music
I believe this is an firmly anti-religious song.
Wer zu Lebzeit gut auf Erden Who in their lifetime is good on Earth
wird nach dem Tod ein Engel werden and will become an angel after death
den Blick gen Himmel fragst du dann you look to the sky and ask
warum man sie nicht sehen kann why can’t you see them
-I interpret this as the promise of heaven or an afterlife is a lie to manipulate people into a position where they are easily controlled into doing what the church tells them is “right.”
Erst wenn die Wolken schlafengehn First if the clouds have gone to sleep
kann man uns am Himmel sehn you can see us in the sky
wir haben Angst und sind allein we are afraid and alone
-The angles, even though they exist, are afraid of something. Afraid of their god, afraid of a higher power. They have been “good” their entire lives, but still fear the authority of the higher power. They must still live under the higher power’s control.
Sie leben hinterm Sonnenschein They live behind the sunshine
getrennt von uns unendlich weit separated from us, infinite expanse
sie müssen sich an Sterne krallen (ganz fest) they must cling to the stars (very tightly)
damit sie nicht vom Himmel fallen so they won’t fall from the sky
-Further supports the fact that the angels have to ‘stay in line’ or they will be punished. “they must cling to the stars” = they must remain devoted to the higher power, or remain loyal to false hope of being freed from their heavenly prison.
Gott weiß ich will kein Engel sein God knows I don’t want to be an angel
-Till does not want the same fate.
Theo, yeah well no shit that this is an Anti-religious song, nobody gives a shit, just enjoy the music. Its not all about y’alls stupid Religion being right or wrong, if u don’t like the song go listen to Church music or sum’ shit like that.
Although interpreting the meaning is always subjective (unless the author explained it). But I really believe this is a very plausible interpretation. Despite I may disagree in some minor details, before reading you, I interpreted a similar intention. At least you show you have something in your head than just “enjoy the music” without knowing the message, and without applying critical thinking. Not using your critical thinking may lead us to be more manipulable.
Congrats Theo