Interpretation
The song lyrics 'Das Testament' by
Franz Josef Degenhardt are about death and what happens afterwards. The text describes that every human being will eventually die and how one can prepare for it.
The song lyrics begin by stating that for each of us, there will come a time when we have to die. It is said that one can still hold on to life one last time before dying. At that moment, one can either fight or surrender to death.
It doesn't matter whether one is buried in an oak or pine coffin. Time keeps moving forward, no matter what happens. Therefore, one should prepare for how they want their death to be.
The singer describes how he would like to be buried. He wants to be driven through the city in an open hearse so that people can still see him. It is especially important to him that the hearse passes through the poorer neighborhoods to remind them of his school route.
In the next part of the song, the singer describes how he imagines life after death. He wants to feel someone close to him once again and picks a chrysanthemum, which he puts in his buttonhole. He lets the daisy, the flower of the dead, wither in his coffin.
The singer also describes how he wants his widow to mourn. She should wear black and cry when he is buried. But afterwards, she can find another man who will take on his responsibilities.
The singer wishes that this man enjoys life, but takes care of his schnapps. However, if the man bothers his cats, which he has often petted, the singer will return as a ghost and cut off his tail.
At the end of the song, the singer declares that this is his testament. He wants his funeral to be a joyful celebration, whether he becomes a legend or is forgotten. He is already in the realm of the dead and needs nothing more. Most of us already rest there, and eventually we will all die.
The song lyrics 'Das Testament' by Franz Josef Degenhardt humorously describe death and how to prepare for it. They tell of the singer's wishes for his funeral and how he imagines life after death. At the same time, the text makes it clear that death is a natural thing that befalls us all.