SDP - Mama hat gesagt (English translation)

SDP – Mama hat gesagt

English translation

English

Translation

Mama said

My mama said, if I want, I can be anything (Hey, hey)

So I went a little crazy

I only went to school to annoy everyone

And today, everyone's singing along

My mama said, if I want, I can be anything (Hey, hey)

So I went a little crazy

I only went to school to annoy everyone

Buddy1 we're lucky, my mama said—

I'm supposed to behave well, since day one (Hey, hey)

"Put every penny2 in your piggy bank"

But I never wanted to be normal, it must be torture, for sure

It'll be on my gravestone someday

Mama said—, blah blah, but seemingly (Hey, hey)

I haven't listened to anyone since I was little

I should become a police officer, but that would be nonsense (Hey, hey)

I'd always have to arrest myself (Haha)

I should become a teacher, I should look to the future (Hey, hey)

But even as a teacher, I'd skip school

Sorry, man, I'm damaged beyond repair

I don't care what anyone else says

My mama said, if I want, I can be anything (Hey, hey)

So I went a little crazy

I only went to school to annoy everyone

And today, everyone's singing along

My mama said, if I want, I can be anything (Hey, hey)

So I went a little crazy

I only went to school to annoy everyone

Buddy, we're lucky, my mama said—

"Listen to your heart, boy, know your worth, boy" (Hey, hey)

"Go your own way and learn from your mistakes, boy

You're an astronaut, reach for the stars, boy

Only you can set the limits, fuck geography3"

Mama said: "Let nature take its course" (Hey, hey)

She said, "Boy, don't bottle up your emotions"

And that's why I always get straight to the point

That's why I go overkill now and then

I know my teacher would've wanted things to go differently (Hey, hey)

But what the heck? Today the whole wall is covered in gold

Mama said I'm built different

And today she's saying: "Boy, mama is proud"

My mama said, if I want, I can be anything (Hey, hey)

So I went a little crazy

I only went to school to annoy everyone

And today everyone's singing along

My mama said, if I want, I can be anything (Hey, hey)

So I went a little crazy

I only went to school to annoy everyone

Buddy, we're lucky

I told my mama: "Mama, do-don't you worry" (Hey, hey)

"A little mess-up never hurt anybody"

Hmm, I dunno why I make things so hard for myself

I know I'm touching a hot stove

Stepping out of line without even taking a step (Hey, hey)

Always blabbing away like I'm the chancellor (Blab-blab)

People can only shut me up with duct tape

My therapist says I'm as crazy as Ballermann4 (Boom)

There's no time for growing up (Hey, hey)

Life is hard, but I take it easy

I'm annoying, loud and brash

Sorry, not sorry

My mama said, if I want, I can be anything (Hey, hey)

So I went a little crazy

I only went to school to annoy everyone

And today everyone's singing along

My mama said, if I want, I can be anything (Hey, hey)

So I went a little crazy

I only went to school to annoy everyone

Buddy, we're lucky, my mama said—

1. It is, from my experience, rare for parents to call their children "digga." The term is the German equivalent to "bro" (though "digga" lacks the brotherly connotations), "pal" or "buddy." I have went with "buddy" because it is, in my opinion, a good balance between the informality of "pal" and the juvenile of "bro."
2. The word used in the original text is "Mark," in an apparent reference to the currency, Deutsche Mark. It is no longer used, just like pennies in many countries.
3. Perhaps the German rendering is slightly less rude. "To hell with geography" might seem like an ideal translation, but that one has the exact opposite problem: it's not vulgar enough; "Scheiße" means "shit."
4. "Ballermann" could be referring to Ballermann 6, a beach bar in Mallorca that is commonly associated with partying, loud music and alcohol. This would fit, as it is a decidedly "crazy" area.