☝️ Key Points
- The song lyrics tell the story of a lonely soldier who dreams of his home and his love while on guard duty.
- The recurring refrain 'Everything passes, everything ends' is a message of hope and perseverance.
- The lines 'But two people who love each other, remain faithful to each other' emphasize the theme of love and loyalty that endure despite separation and challenging circumstances.
- At the end of the song, the soldier receives a leave permit, returns home, and then has to go back to war.
- The belief that 'everything passes, everything ends' and love endures gives strength to the protagonist.
Interpretation
The song 'Es geht alles vorüber, es geht alles vorbei' by
Lale Andersen is an emotional portrayal of the longing and hope of a soldier who is on guard duty in a lonely night. The song lyrics tell the story of the soldier who dreams of his love, Hanne, and the happiness he left behind at home. The passing clouds remind him of his homeland and he yearns to return there someday.
The refrain 'Es geht alles vorüber, es geht alles vorbei' is a recurring message of hope and perseverance. It expresses the soldier's conviction that all difficulties will pass, just as December is replaced by May. This is a metaphor that represents the end of the harsh winter (symbolic of wartime) and the beginning of the joyful spring (peacetime).
The lines 'Doch zwei, die sich lieben, die bleiben sich treu' underline the theme of love and loyalty that endure despite separation and circumstances. The soldier writes a letter to Hanne, encouraging her and assuring her that they will endure together despite the current hardships.
The song lyrics end with the prospect of a break from the war, as the soldier receives his approved leave and returns home to Hanne. Despite the joy of the reunion, the farewell upon setting off to war again is difficult, but Hanne remains strong and does not cry, strengthened by the belief that 'everything passes, everything goes by' and their love will endure.