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Q: German version of a song- Attention scriptor-ga ( Answered 5 out of 5 stars,   2 Comments )
Question  
Subject: German version of a song- Attention scriptor-ga
Category: Arts and Entertainment > Music
Asked by: uzzz-ga
List Price: $20.00
Posted: 08 Mar 2003 03:41 PST
Expires: 07 Apr 2003 04:41 PDT
Question ID: 173434
I am seeking a German version (similar to the French version-
previously supplied Question ID: 169175 ) of 'War' recorded in English
(1970) by Edwin Starr. My first choice is for an existing version by
an experienced lyricist. My second is for an inspired version by a
talented Researcher. It should, under all circumstances, keep measure
etc. so it could be used for singing. Kindly ensure that the song maintains the
spirit & emphasis of the original. This is a tough request given the
limited budget. The question is being posted on behalf of a young
band. Should this request be too laborious simply let me know. Thank you.

Clarification of Question by uzzz-ga on 08 Mar 2003 04:36 PST
This question is specifically for scriptor-ga. Thank you.

Clarification of Question by uzzz-ga on 08 Mar 2003 05:47 PST
I do welcome comments from others interested in this question. Thanks.
Answer  
Subject: Re: German version of a song- Attention scriptor-ga
Answered By: scriptor-ga on 08 Mar 2003 06:14 PST
Rated:5 out of 5 stars
 
Dear uzzz,

I worked the last night on German lyrics of Stong's and Whitfield's
"War"; lyrics that keep as much as possible of the spirit of the
original. Here is the final result. I included the original lyrics, so
finding the corresponding lines in both versions should be easy. Also,
I have added a literal translation of the German version: When reading
it, please keep in mind most of the German words used have deeper
meanings and feelings very distinct from their literal English
counterparts.

--

"Krieg"
Music: Norman Whitfield
Lyrics: Copyright by Google Answers, 2003

Krieg! Ha! Yeah!
Was hat er Gutes?
Absolut rein gar nichts!

Krieg! Ha! Yeah!
Was hat er Gutes?
Absolut rein gar nichts! Und noch mal.

Krieg! Ha! Paßt auf!
Was hat er Gutes?
Absolut rein gar nichts! Hört mir zu.

Ah, ich hasse den Krieg,
Weil ganz alleine der Tod nur siegt.
Krieg heißt Tränen, und er trifft die Mütter hart,
Denn ihre Söhne, die sind tot, vergessen und verscharrt!

Oh ja, Krieg! Ha! Oh Gott!
Was hat er Gutes?
Absolut rein gar nichts! Und noch mal.

Krieg! Ha! Um Gottes Willen!
Was hat er Gutes?
Absolut rein gar nichts! Hört mir zu.

Krieg!
Wegen ihm wurde so oft geweint.
Krieg!
Der Totengräber ist sein einziger Freund.

Ah, Krieg ist der Feind der ganzen Menschheit.
Er ist Wahnsinn, Zerstörung, Vernichtung und Leid!
Krieg reißt die Menschen nun endlich aus dem Schlaf.
Ein weißes Holzkreuz, wer will das schon?

Oh, Krieg! Ha! Oh Gott!
Was hat er Gutes?
Absolut rein gar nichts! Noch mal, noch mal.

Krieg! Ha! Um Gottes Willen!
Was hat er Gutes?
Absolut rein gar nichts! Hört mir zu.

Krieg!
Wegen ihm wurde so oft geweint.
Krieg!
Der Totengräber ist sein einziger Freund.

Ah, Krieg hat die Träume junger Männer zerfetzt,
Ihre Körper verkrüppelt, ihre Seelen verletzt!
Das Leben ist zu kurz und wertvoll,
Krieg ist endloser Mord.
Krieg gibt kein Leben, er nimmt es nur fort!

Krieg! Ha! Oh Gott!
Was hat er Gutes?
Absolut rein gar nichts! Und noch mal.

Krieg! Ha! Um Gottes Willen!
Was hat er Gutes?
Absolut rein gar nichts! Hört mir zu.

Krieg!
Wegen ihm wurde so oft geweint.
Krieg!
Der Totengräber ist sein einziger Freund.

Sagt mir, wird es denn nie Frieden geben,
Gibt es denn keinen Platz für ihn? 
Sie sagen, wir müssen für die Freiheit kämpfen.
Oh Gott, laß sie den besseren Weg seh'n!

Krieg! Ha! Oh Gott!
Was hat er Gutes?
Sagt's ihnen, nichts! Noch mal, noch mal, noch mal!

Krieg! Ha! Oh Gott, mein Gott!
Was hat er Gutes?
Schreit es heraus: Nichts!

--

For comparison: The original lyrics of "War" by Barrett Strong:

War! Huh! Yeah!
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothin'!

War! Huh! Yeah!
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothin'! Say it again y'all.

War! Huh! Yeah!
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothin'! Listen to me.

Ahhh, war I despise,
Cause it means destruction of innocent lives.
War means tears to thousands of mothers' eyes,
When their sons go off to fight and lose their lives.

I said, war! Huh! Good God y'all.
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothin'! Say it again.

War! Huh! Whoa whoa whoa Lord.
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothin'! Listen to me.

War!
It ain't nothin' but a heart breaker.
War!
Friend only to the undertaker.

Ahhh, war is an enemy to all mankind.
The thought of war blows my mind.
War has caused unrest within the younger generation.
Induction, then destruction. Who wants to die?

Ahhh, war! Huh! Good God y'all.
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothin'! Say it, say it, say it.

War! Huh! Uh huh yeah, huh!
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothin'! Listen to me.

War!
It ain't nothin' but a heart breaker.
War!
Its got one friend, that's the undertaker.

Ahhh, war has shattered, many a young man's dreams.
Made him disabled, bitter and mean.
Life is but too short and precious,
It's been fighting wars each day.
War can't give life, it can only take it away.

Ahhh war! Huh! Good God y'all.
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothin'! Say it again.

War! Huh! Whoa whoa whoa Lord.
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothin'! Listen to me.

War!
It ain't nothin' but a heart breaker.
War!
Friend only to the undertaker.

Peace, love and understanding, tell me
Is there no place for them today?
They say we must fight, to keep our freedom,
But Lord knows there's got to be a better way.

Ahhh war! Huh! Good God y'all.
What is it good for?
You tell 'em. nothin'! Say it, say it, say it, say it.

War. huh! Good God now, huh!
What is it good for?
Stand up and shout it. nothin'!

--

For better understanding the German version: An approximate literal
translation to English:

War! Huh! Yeah!
What's good about it?
Absolutely nothing!

War! Huh! Yeah!
What's good about it?
Absolutely nothing! Say it again.

War! Huh! Watch out!
What's good about it?
Absolutely nothing! Listen to me!

Ah, I hate war,
Because death alone wins.
War means tears, and it beats the mothers hard,
Their sons are dead, forgotten and heedlessly buried!

Oh yes, war! Huh! Oh God!
What's good about it?
Absolutely nothing! Say it again.

War! Huh! For heaven's sake!
What's good about it?
Absolutely nothing! Listen to me.

War!
It has caused so much crying.
War!
The Undertaker is its only friend.

Ah, war is the enemy of all mankind.
It is lunacy, ruination, destruction, and sorrow!
Finally, war is awakening people.
A white wooden cross, who wants that after all?

War! Huh! Oh God!
What's good about it?
Absolutely nothing! Again, again.

War! Huh! For heaven's sake!
What's good about it?
Absolutely nothing! Listen to me.

War!
It has caused so much crying.
War!
The Undertaker is its only friend.

Ah, war has ripped apart young men's dreams,
Crippled their bodies and harmed their souls.
Life is too short and precious,
War is endless murder.
War never gives life, it only takes it away!

War! Huh! Oh God!
What's good about it?
Absolutely nothing! Say it again.

War! Huh! For heaven's sake!
What's good about it?
Absolutely nothing! Listen to me.

War!
It has caused so much crying.
War!
The Undertaker is its only friend.

Tell me, will there never be peace?
Is there no place for it?
They say we must fight for freedom.
Oh God, let them see the better way!

Sagt mir, wird es denn nie Frieden geben,
Gibt es denn keinen Platz für ihn? 
Sie sagen, wir müssen für die Freiheit kämpfen.
Oh Gott, laß sie den besseren Weg seh'n!

War! Huh! Oh God!
What's good about it?
Thell them, nothing! Say it again, say it, say it!

War! Huh! Oh God, my God!
What's good about it?
Shout it out: Nothing!

--

Hope this is what you need!
Best regards,
Scriptor
uzzz-ga rated this answer:5 out of 5 stars and gave an additional tip of: $10.00
THANK YOU!!!!! Wow- this is tough to rate as I am unable to read the
answer... or at least the German part! Without a doubt this must have
been a challenge to complete... and you responded very quickly. The
compensation, due to limitations, does not reflect the sincere
gratitude for this well appreciated response. Thank you again for
taking on this question.

Comments  
Subject: Re: German version of a song- Attention scriptor-ga
From: easterangel-ga on 08 Mar 2003 04:08 PST
 
To all other Google Answers Researchers, uzzz-ga has specifically
requested for scriptor-ga. Please let us honor such request.
Subject: Re: German version of a song- Attention scriptor-ga
From: uzzz-ga on 08 Mar 2003 04:34 PST
 
Thanks easterangel-ga. I should have made my request for scriptor-ga
clear in the body of the question.

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