Song Lyrics in German and English
“Ich hab' noch einen Koffer in Berlin”
Songs of Berlin - English
You are here:
Knef Songs > “Ich hab' noch einen Koffer in Berlin” > German Version
NOTE: The song lyrics below are provided for educational use only. No infringement of copyright is implied or intended. - Also see the original German for this song.
Song Background
This classic Berlin song is comparatively recent — only going back to the fifties. With a melody composed by Ralph Maria Siegel and lyrics by Aldo von Pinelli, it was first performed by the native Berliner Bully Buhlan (1924-1982) in 1951. But the more famous versions were sung by Marlene Dietrich in 1951-53, and a decade later by Hildegard Knef. More recently, Udo Lindenberg included this song on his "Atlantic Affairs" CD album in 2002. In 1987 U.S. President Ronald Reagan used the title of this song in his famous "tear down this Wall" speech near the Berlin Wall. The lyrics below are the version used by Knef on her "Die Großen Erfolge" CD album.
“Ich hab' noch einen Koffer in Berlin”
(“I Still Have a Suitcase in Berlin”)
Lyrics: Aldo von Pinelli
Music: Ralph Maria Siegel
Literal prose English translation by Hyde Flippo
1
It’s wonderful in Paris on the Rue Madeleine
It's nice to walk through the city in Rome in May
Or a quiet summer night with wine in Vienna.
But I'm still attached, even if you laugh, to Berlin today:
Refrain:
I still have a suitcase in Berlin
That's why I have to go there sometime soon.
The joys of days gone by
Are all still in my little suitcase.
I still have a suitcase in Berlin
It stays there, too, and that makes sense.
In this way it's worth a trip,
Because whenever I'm homesick, then I go back.
2
Lunapark and the wave pool, a little bear at the Zoo,
Swimming at Wannsee (lake) with the water wheel, bright and happy days.
Werder, when the trees are in bloom, Sanssouci park.
Man, Berlin was really nice. I'll never forget it:
Refrain: I have...
BACK > More Knef Songs
MORE > Hildegard Knef CDs
MORE > German Popular Music
Music/Songs
German songs, lyrics, and groups.
German Newsletters
Subscribe to a free newsletter!
| German Forum 1 |
Deutsches Forum 2 |