The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
I see houses burning, I'm ashamed
Before you close your eyes denying me
You'd better ask yourself
Did I choose something I could regret?
Did I do something I should regret?
Is this the place I used to call fatherland?
Is this the place I used to know as fatherland?
I should regret
Is this the place I used to call fatherland?
Is this the place I used to know as fatherland?
The silence is illusion, stay awake
I hear children cry in fear and hate
Do cowards ask themselves?
Did I choose something I could regret?
Did I do something I should regret?
Is this the place I used to call fatherland?
Is this the place I used to know as fatherland?
Did I choose something I could regret?
Did I do something I should regret?
Is this the place I used to call fatherland?
Is this the place I used to know as fatherland?
Is this the place I used to call fatherland?
Is this the place I used to know as fatherland?
Is this the place I used to call fatherland?
Is this the place I used to know as fatherland?
Is this the place I used to call fatherland?
Is this the place I used to know--
I should regret
Is this the place I used to call fatherland?
Is this the place I used to know as fatherland?
Is this the place I used to call fatherland?
Is this the place I used to know as fatherland?
Fatherland [Repeat: x 6]
Before you close your eyes denying me
You'd better ask yourself
Did I choose something I could regret?
Did I do something I should regret?
Is this the place I used to call fatherland?
Is this the place I used to know as fatherland?
I should regret
Is this the place I used to call fatherland?
Is this the place I used to know as fatherland?
The silence is illusion, stay awake
I hear children cry in fear and hate
Do cowards ask themselves?
Did I choose something I could regret?
Did I do something I should regret?
Is this the place I used to call fatherland?
Is this the place I used to know as fatherland?
Did I choose something I could regret?
Did I do something I should regret?
Is this the place I used to call fatherland?
Is this the place I used to know as fatherland?
Is this the place I used to call fatherland?
Is this the place I used to know as fatherland?
Is this the place I used to call fatherland?
Is this the place I used to know as fatherland?
Is this the place I used to call fatherland?
Is this the place I used to know--
I should regret
Is this the place I used to call fatherland?
Is this the place I used to know as fatherland?
Is this the place I used to call fatherland?
Is this the place I used to know as fatherland?
Fatherland [Repeat: x 6]
Lyrics submitted by spookyvlad
Fatherland Lyrics as written by Juergen Engler Christopher Lietz
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
This song is about how Germans generally still feel somewhat guilty for the atrocities of WWII.
Die Krupps are a great band !
also you gotta see the video. die krupps does great videos, I have it on cleopatras gothic industrial madness DVD, which i found on sale for 5 bucks at a comic book shop in NH. funny how one mans trash is another mans gold! it also has a good rossetta stone video too
This is one song where the lyrics do not require much analysis. The song is about Nazism and the holocaust. Seeing as Die Krupps are a German band it's an obvious comment on the horrors that have been burned permanently into German history. It's a great song. I used to play it all the time on my HS radio show.
Actually it is not about some fuzzy sense of guilt for WWII. I feel like most Germans who haven't even lived at the time feel not as much guilt as responsibility to oppose racism, fascism, discrimination (if they are good.) The song has to be seen in the context of the very real attacks on temporary homes for immigrants and refugees in the early nineties, such as arson in Hoyerswerda and others. At the time, it's been a very obvious retort to nationalists touting their pride of their Vaterland, showing that those base, criminal and cowardly attacks made some Germans ashamed of their country rather than proud.
This track is clearly about the rise in Neonazism around the time of German reunification. One of the most common crimes was burning down the houses of ausländer (foreigners). They later covered the Pop Will Eat Itself's 'Ich Bin Ein Ausländer' about the exact same thing.