☝️ Key Points
- The song is about an old sailor whose best days are behind him.
- The sailor dreams of his earlier times when he could endure much more.
- The lyrics show the melancholy and the feeling of transience.
- The sailor struggles with his memories and the desire for past times.
- The song emphasizes the strength and soul of a sailor who keeps going even in difficult times.
Interpretation
The song lyrics "Nichts haut einen Seemann um" by
Udo Lindenberg are about an old sailor who has seen better days. The singer describes a scene in a pub where the sailor always sits. The boats are still out and the pub is still empty, except for the old captain who is always here. The sailor drinks rum and sings softly to himself: "Nichts haut einen Seemann um".
The lyrics show that the sailor dreams of his good days, when he could endure much more. Above the counter hang postcards he once sent, and he remembers a special encounter with a Japanese woman. Back then, he was still a fast boy and life was worth living. But now, as a sailor who no longer sails, he doesn't have much left.
The boats are in the harbor and the other men will come soon. The captain goes home and drags himself over the dike. He doesn't want the others to think he can't handle much anymore. Nevertheless, he sings his song into the stormy wind.
The lyrics of the song "Nichts haut einen Seemann um" express melancholy and the feeling of transience. They show how the sailor struggles with his memories and the desire for earlier times. At the same time, the strength and soul of a sailor who continues on even in difficult times are emphasized.