✕
Less
We were nameless
and without songs
We were never again
really wordless
Still we are
a little songless [2]
Yet we're not toneless
You can hear us
After a gust of wind
began a storm
Simply matchless
It was time
-less [3]
They were speechless
So totally shocked
And totally powerless
What happened
Somewhat composureless [4]
and surely
understandingless [4]
That will be censored
They said groundless
Too bad about the music
So shameless
That should be forbidden
It's witless
what they're trying there
So tasteless
how they're making music
Is it hopeless
Senseless
Helpless
They are godless [5]
We were nameless
We have a name
We were wordless
The words came
Still we are
a little songless
Yet we're not toneless
You do hear it
We aren't flawless
Just a bit anchorless
You will become soundless
You'll never get rid of us
We were "-less" [6]
Andrew Dangerously✕
Translations of "Los"
English #1, #2
Comments
dionysius Russia is waging a disgraceful war on Ukraine. Stand With Ukraine!
About translator
Unofficial translation provided by Jeremy Williams, 2004.
[1] This song has several puns or double meanings that just don't work in English. As a suffix, "-los" is the same as "-less" in English. As an adjective, "los" is more like "off" or "loose". As a command, "Los!" means "go".
[2] Another pun. The German saying "sang- und klanglos" means "simply", "unnoticed", or "without any ado or fuss". It comes from the fact that there is no singing (Gesang) or bell ringing (Glockenklang) at simple funerals. The word "sanglos" is only used in this phrase in German. The lyrics mean that they are one part, yet not the other, and therefore are not going to simply be unnoticed.
[3] And another. Because it is written and said apart, it can be seen as "Es wurde Zeit. Los!" ("It was time, go!") as well as "Es wurde Zeitlos" (It became timeless").
[4] Not a real word, I know, but it fits.
[5] "Sie sind Gott. Los!" means "They are God. Go!" while "Sie sind gottlos" is "they are godless".
[6] And finally, "Wir waren los" can been seen as "We were -less" or "We were off".