Es ist schon viele Jahre her [English translation]

It's already been a few years

Since we met.

We've taken a lot from each other.

But we've never worn ourselves out,

And each unfair thing and each insulting thing,

You always made me pay for it in the same currency.

And it's just fine like that, because you know,

If I owed you a debt,

I could never forgive you for that.1

Should we ever see each other some day,

Should you, after all these years,

Have finally gotten your face,

I mean, it's not like you ever lost it.2

So maybe we've learned

How to not bicker

And how to help each other instead.

Because I could destroy you,

I've known how for a long time,

It's just that there would be no point in that.

We have often thought about

Growing old together.

Yes, people grow old, or maybe they don't age.

It makes me angry to not know that,

But that's why I am deciding upon the day

When I want to die.

So when I ask you: "Are you coming along with me?"

I don't believe you will be frightened.

To tell the truth, this life isn't all that important to you,

And it means as little to me.

1. This seems very close to saying if he owed the debt, he could never forgive the debt. As if he would never allow himself to cancel the debt without paying it off. However, I think it's just saying he would not forgive her if he ever owed her a debt. Of course, the debt could be monetary or more ephemeral, more figurative or symbolic. Ah the joys of poetry . . .2. The French translator expressed some puzzlement over these lines. I'm just reflecting that. Should she change her translation, I will surely change mine to match.

• Artist:Hannes Wader
• Album:Der Rattenfänger