Nur Steine leben lang [English translation]

Whenever I look up into the sky,

I ask, "Is that all there is?

That bit of time here, between sun and snow,

Between water and wine?"

And when I think about you,

I'd like to be a stone.

Only stones live long;

They know no time and no constraints.

The bit of water that makes them smaller

Is like a match in the night.

And if we were like a stone,

I could be together with you

A hundred times, and more.

Oh, if we were (only) like a stone!

Whenever I look into the sun,

I feel infinitely small.

When it's still burning, I'll be

Long gone...

And that's it?

But when I look at you,

I'd like to be a stone.

Only stones live long;

They know no time and no constraints.

The bit of water that makes them smaller

Is like a match in the night.

And if we were like a stone,

I could be together with you

A hundred times, and more.

Oh, if we were (only) like a stone!

But what we're left with is always going forward...

Just always onward, onward, never standing still

And every once in a while looking up into the sky –

And yet comprehending nothing.

Only stones live long;

They know no time and no constraints.

The bit of water that makes them smaller

Is like a match in the night.

And if we were like a stone,

I could be together with you

A hundred times, and more.

Oh, if we were (only) like a stone!

• Artist:Hans Hartz