Song Lyrics in German and English
“Zonenmädchen” - English
“Im Wahlkampf vor mir liegt ein Zonenmädchen”
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German Popular Music > "Der Steuersong" > "Zonenmädchen" (German)
SONG BACKGROUND
Following his "Steuersong" hit in 2002, satirist Elmar Brandt was inspired to create a new satiric song for the chancellor election in September 2005. This time he decided to pick on both chancellor candidates: Gerhard Schröder ("Gerd") and Angela Merkel ("Angie"). - See more on the German version page.
Note: See the link below for a streaming-video interview with Anne Onken and a sample of the song.
NOTE: This annotated English translation of the original German song lyrics are provided for educational use only. No infringement of copyright is implied or intended.
Words in (parentheses) indicate a second possible meaning, often in connection with a play on words that works only in German. See footnotes for more comments.
In the Election Ahead of Me Lies a Zone Girl
("Im Wahlkampf vor mir liegt ein Zonenmädchen")
Lyrics: Elmar Brandt, Peter Burtz
Melody: Hans Blum
Gerd: Rata rata ratatatata, rata rata ratatatata.My dear nation, it's dumb to look OLD for a NEW election, but I'll manage somehow! You won't believe who's ahead of me in the polls:
In the election ahead of me lies a "zone girl"1 - why can't she be a beauty?
The corners of her mouth down in the cellar, and hair that's styled like a helmet - with Spreewald pickle breath2 - Angela!
In the election ahead of me lies a "zone girl"
With a few points - I'll hit with a left. Perhaps I'll flood Saxony-Anhalt3 or I'll get rid of Hans Eichel4. Whatever, I'll think of something.
Rata rata ratatatata, rata rata ratatatata.
Angie: What noises is the clown behind me making?
Gerd: Is she not mean?
Angie: He still thinks he has a chance?!
Gerd: The eye also votes, doesn't it?
Angie: The whole thing's over; this small-time crook is nuts!
He can't still think he's going to win.
Gerd: Like in '98...
Angie: It's high time for a woman in the chancellor's office.
Gerd: A woman? Don't you want it, after all?
Angie: I'll clean out the fife and drum corps.
Gerd: I've already got a cleaning woman!
Angie: I'll beat you.
Gerd: When pigs learn to fly!
Angie: It's taps - haven't you noticed?
May I invite (challenge) you, Herr Former Chancellor?
Gerd: To step down? Nope.
Angie: Nonsense! To dance. In preparation for September. Then it's lady's choice (election).
Gerd: I think she's been in the sun too long. But then darkness has always been kind to her (been her friend).
Angie: At least I still have friends.
Gerd: Now she's gone off her rocker ("has a stinger") - but surely not against me. But at least she'll lose with a good tan.
Angie: Now the whole matter's slowly getting funny!
Gerd: Then have a laugh!
Angie: You shell-game con-artist, your time's running out!
Gerd: Habemus Gerhard!5
Angie: You can't hide any longer behind some idiots. You're finished as a swindler - and now out!
Gerd: Bye-bye my "zone girl," have a nice trip!
Angie: So long, Herr Former Chancellor!
Gerd: You in my office? I'm laughing myself silly!
Angie: For you this election will end with 5 percent!
Gerd: You old bag, ridiculous! I'll easily get ten!
Haha haha hahahahaha, haha haha hahahahaha.
Angie: In this case you're a discontinued (voted-out) item.
Gerd: Don't be so sure; I also beat (hit) women!
Angie: Is this the key to the chancellor's office here?
Gerd: Why?
Angie: 3, 2, 1 - mine!
Gerd: Oh!!...
Comments:
- Zonenmädchen ("zone girl"), i.e., a girl from the former Ostzone (Soviet Zone, East Germany); Merkel is from the "East Zone."
- Spreewaldgurkenatem - The Spreewald is an area to the east of Berlin that is known for its pickles. It was also a popular, well-known brand of pickles during GDR (East Germany) times.
- The eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt (Sachsen-Anhalt) and other parts of eastern Germany had serious flooding in the summer of 2002.
- Hans Eichel is the German finance minister; his efforts to cut deficits by reducing unemployment benefits (Hartz IV) were very unpopular in eastern Germany, where there has been a high rate of unemployment since reunification.
- Habemus Gerhard! - Latin for "We have Gerhard!" - a play on "We have a pope!"
DEUTSCH > Original German for this song
MORE > Another Elmar Brandt Song ("Der Steuersong")
MORE > German Popular Music - More song lyrics
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WEB > Video: Interview mit Anne Onken (scroll down to "Zonenmädchen" - RealVideo) - Radio Bremen
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