Ermutigung [English translation]

My friend1, don't let yourself become hardened

in these hard times.

Those, who are too hard, will break

Those, who are too pointed, will sting

and break off immediately.

My friend1, don't let yourself become embittered

in these bitter times.

The rulers will shiver

- once you are behind bars -

but not because of your suffering.

My friend1, don't let yourself be horrified

in these times of horror.

That's what they want to achieve,

that we lay down our arms

even before the great struggle.

My friend1, don't let yourself be used up,

use your time.

You can't hide,

you need us and we need

just your merryness.

We don't want to be silent about it

in this time of silence.

The green is sprouting from the twigs,

we want to show it to everyone,

then they will be informed

1. a. b. c. d. lit.: you

• Artist:Wolf Biermann
• Album:aah-ja! (1974)