Steig ein [English translation]

As in that sleepless night I looked over the cold street lights

and the neon pale rows of houses into the clear winter sky,

I noticed a star. I liked it and the longer I looked at it

the bigger and clearer he became for me.

Through its glowing blue atmosphere I could recognize seas and continents.

I saw primeval forests that covered the land like a protecting hand,

mountain ranges with peaks covered in snow in which the midday sun breaks

as in a precious diamond. Shimmering deserts in which only the wind lives,

rivers that go by broadly and heavily like the dull thoughts of a summer afternoon.

On their banks heaving fields of corn, air filled by the scent of shady orchards.

Then I saw them, their skin was brown, sometimes lighter, sometimes darker,

they ploughed the earth, worked the fields, built bridges out of odd metals.

Some of them floated through the air in shimmering balls.

I saw them lying in the sun, saw them dance, heard their singing, felt their love.

Then I saw their cities, cities whose beauty I cannot describe.

Cities without hate and without hurry and I did not see stuffy backyards,

no speeding old crates, no starved children

and nobody on whom a weapon was pulled.

I did not see any marching troops, no planes throwing off bombs

and I did not see anyone counting money.

I sah happy faces and I saw sad faces,

but I did not see hopeless gazes anywhere.

The image tore.

And there was only left the clear December night with its thousands of stars.

I have read many smart books to learn the name of that star,

have described how it looked to many smart people.

It can only be one, my star, your star, our home, the earth.

The future of the earth, the earth of the future, lies before us!

Come with me, put down your old clothes, pack your things,

jump out of your grave.

Get in, jump on,

come in, come up,

participate, continue,

make the way to you

a bit broader.

Knock, I'll open for you.

If you see that I'm feeling bad

take me up.

If you see that I'm feeling good

don't bring me down.

If you see that I'm tired, wake me up.

I don't want any chains!

When you're alone they destroy you!

We don't want any chains!

We are born to be free!

Let us wake up what is still sleeping!

The struggle continues!

• Artist:Ton Steine Scherben
• Album:Wenn die Nacht am tiefsten (1975)