Song Lyrics in German and English
Udo Lindenberg: “Sonderzug nach Pankow” (English)
NOTE: This literal English translation of the German song lyrics is provided for educational use only. No infringement of copyright is implied or intended. - Also see the original German version of these lyrics.
SONG BACKGROUND
There's much more to Udo's German version of "Chattanooga Choo Choo" (originally by Harry Warren, 1941) than meets the eye. "Sonderzug nach Pankow" was first released in 1983 on Lindenberg's "Odyssee" album. It was a musical plea to East German authorities to allow the rock star to cross the Berlin Wall to perform in the GDR (DDR, East Germany). He wants to take the "special train to Pankow," a district in Berlin's north that was then in East Berlin. During DDR times Pankow was home to the communist elite and largely off-limits to the average East German. Ironically, Lindenberg was invited to perform briefly at a special concert in the Palast der Republik in East Berlin on October 25, 1983. More...
Sonderzug nach Pankow - Special Train to Pankow
Line-by-line literal English translation by Hyde Flippo
See the notes marked in ( ).
Pardon me, is that the special train to Pankow?
I really have to go there,
to East Berlin.
I have to clear up some things
with your "Indian chief":
I'm a yodeling talent
and I want to play there with a band.
I've brought a flask of cognac along
and it's very tasty.
Then I savor that very relaxed
with Erich Honecker,
and I say: "Hey, Honey, (1)
I'll sing for little money
in the republic's palace, (2)
if you all will let me!
All the pop tune monkeys are allowed to sing there,
are allowed to present all their junk.
Only little Udo,
only little Udo,
isn't allowed to,
and we don't understand that.
I know precisely,
I have an awful lot of friends
in the GDR,
and it's more by the hour!
Erich, hey,
are you really such a stubborn demon? [Schrat] (3)
Why won't you let me sing
in the worker-and-farmer state?
Hello, Erich, can you hear me?
Hellololöchen, hello!
[Russian words...] (4)
NOTES
- Erich Honecker's nickname was "Honni" or "Honey."
- The Palast der Republik (Palace of the Republic) was the East German house of government, but it also served as a venue for public events.
- A "Schrat" (also "Schratt") is a forest demon that (according to Grimm) appears from time to time to frighten humans. A well-known Schrat is Rübezahl.
- The words in Russian at the end of the song are a Soviet official saying: "Comrade Erich, the Soviets have nothing against Mr. Lindenberg performing in the GDR (East Germany)."
DEUTSCH > German lyrics for this song
Downloading German Songs from iTunes
A guide to finding and getting German music from Apple's iTunes. Some of Lindenberg's songs are available from the US iTunes Store.
WEB > Hear cuts from the album at Musicline.de (requires RealAudio)
Songs include "Horizont" and "Sonderzug nach Pankow" (Chattanooga Choo Choo)
BACK > More Lindenberg Songs
MORE > German Popular Music - More song lyrics
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