Berlin [English translation]

What an idea, to go to Berlin,

your mother and I holding your hand

like a crutch.

Rickety family,

we act as if

nothing is ruined.

You, not knowing the history,

we tell you about that black night.

A hideous wall.

It’s so easy

to cut a town in two

just like that.

But us, we’re not Berlin.

There is nothing separating us

wherever you sleep at night.

Us, we’re not Berlin.

Don’t see a wall standing

between the two addresses where you sleep.

The breeze blocks piled up so fast,

then that rumour that spreads

with the day

which has barely broken.

People come running

when they realise.

We tell you about the dark years,

shadows slide all along the wall

for someone missing

on the other side.

All those who try

to jump over it.

But us, we’re not Berlin.

There is nothing separating us

wherever you sleep at night.

Us, we’re not Berlin.

Don’t see a wall standing

between the two addresses where you sleep.

You, on the other hand, are curious,

we tell you about that sleepless night.

The sledgehammer blows,

the jubilant crowd

and those who finally

make it to The West.

Imagine, the ear-piercing noise

of the Trabants sounding their horns,

the wall cracking,

the rebellious spirit,

someone playing Bach

on the cello.

For us, that’s Berlin!

There is nothing separating us

wherever you sleep at night.

For us, that’s Berlin.

Don’t see a wall standing

between the two addresses where you sleep.

What an idea, to go to Berlin,

to walk along the repainted wall.

A pretty fresco.

It’s almost easy

to reunite a place

cut in two.

• Artist:Renan Luce
• Album:Renan Luce