Allein, in einer großen Stadt [English translation]

You live in a big city

and yet you're so alone.

The man you're longing for

doesn't seem to be there as yet

You don't know him - and yet you know him quite well

And you fear he will go by

And you look for him in others - yet you remain his wife

until he suddenly stands in front of you

And then you don't know what you should say

and you find everything so banal.

And you used to be brimming with words

And now all of a sudden you're stammering

Everything you planned to tell him immediately

at the first moment

You forget it instantly, for his gaze tells you

that he's already understood you

Now you've got everything you want

You could be happy

The big city is quiet suddenly

You just live for it

You think of nothing - this time is so nice

You only fears its passing

Thinking furtively of the first quarrel

Until he suddenly stands in front of you

And then you don't know what you should say

and you find everything so banal.

And he never used to be brimming with words

And now all of a sudden he's yelling

And you're silent and you clearly sense, it's over now

And it just isn't worth mentioning one single word

All is over now

A world collapses...

You're on your own once again

• Artist:Marlene Dietrich