Song for December 2018: 'Linda' by Gerhard Gundermann

In ‘Linda’ Gundermann tells a Christmas story from everyday life. The child dropping into his heart means the end of aloofness and resignation which he mistook for peace. Now, his house is flooded with light, and the future is filled with a new sense of purpose.

    
     You have dropped into my heart

     like into an empty house,

     yanked open doors and windows wide,

     let in and out the light.

     I have already had my peace.

     You ´re such a noisy chick,

     you have cut me out again,

     right out of my thick skin.

     The fat days are ahead, now, Linda,

      we have saved for you so long.

     What shall I tell you, children,

     it´s once more the old ones´ turn.

     I knew very well how the ball would roll,

     was interested no more

     and would have made no fuss if Death

     had knocked on my door.

     My gun was loaded, ready to hand

     with the very last shot of all,

     I buried it under the cherry tree

     ´cause now I have to stay here.

     The fat days are ahead, now, Linda,

     we have saved for you so long.

     What shall I tell you, children,

     it´s once more the old ones´turn.

     You have dropped into my heart

     like into an empty house,

     yanked open doors and windows wide,

     let in and out the light.

     Oh I thought I´d never find

     home to Christmas land,

     perhaps you´d like to be my guide.

     Will you lead me by your hand?

By Gerhard Gundermann, from the album: The 7th samurai, 1993

Translation: Gudrun Rogge-Wiest, October 2018

By Gerhard Gundermann (1955-1998), from the album: The 7th samurai, 1993

www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyeXtOvGP-g&start_radio=1&list=RDTyeXtOvGP-g&t=4

Translation: Gudrun Rogge-Wiest, October 2018

Gerhard Gundermann was an excavator operator in lignite surface mining and a singer songwriter. He lived in Spreetal in Saxony, which until 1990 was part of the former German Democratic Republic (GDR).

The personality of Gerhard Gundermann as depicted in Andreas Dresen´s film Gundermann is at once intriguing and disconcerting. The film convinces with the honesty of the portrayal and with its representation of the protagonist´s struggles with the intricacies of his world. The latter re-echo in the earthy beauty of his songs whose lyrics are often poignant, among them ‘Linda’ which is about the experience of how children can bring us back to life.

Gundermann´s songs are light and powerful at the same time. Outspoken and undaunted he explores life and the depths of the human soul. Listeners catch themselves smiling, feeling touched and sometimes shocked; at other times one is just carried away by a song´s melancholy mood. It is impossible to remain indifferent.

More information:
The trailer of the film: www.gundermann-derfilm.de.  
A short biography: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerhard_Gundermann

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