Rammstein - Angst - Meaning of the song
"Angst" has been construed to be political based on its music video. And such a notion was confirmed by a well-known German literature professor who conducted a thorough examination of "Zeit," the album from which this tune is drawn.
In the lyrics, the "Black Man" is actually the German version of the boogeyman. In other words, it's a made-up character that German parents – or, more especially, fathers, according to the first line – use to scare their children into obeying their commands even when daddy isn't around.
Fundamentally, the message of this song is that being instilled with such terror as a child is not a good thing. But why is that? Simply because "the Black Man" does not exist, we develop the habit of defending ourselves against threats that do not exist.
Have you ever heard it said that the letters in the word fear stand for false proof that appears to be true? That is the concept Rammstein is addressing in this song, namely, being terrified for no reason, especially in connection to your fellow man. As shown in the second verse, some people may be fearful of strangers as a result of this. Alternatively, as stated in the pre-chorus, and in keeping with the political sense of the song, such dread can lead to collective violence or warfare.
Even though the name "Black Man" has its origins in a German children's game, it's nevertheless remarkable that Rammstein chose to use it. Because, as we all know, Black people are frequently demonized in various nations, with people developing a dread of them based on stereotypes, media portrayals, and other factors.
And, while this song does not appear to have any explicit racial content, that is precisely the type of ignorance that Rammstein is addressing. If a person or group of people let the threat of a threat to overwhelm them, they may end up becoming the "evil" that they fear.
Angst - Lyrics
(Du) (Du) (Du) (Du) (Du) (Du) Wenn die Kinder unerzogen Schon der Vater hat gedroht „Der schwarze Mann, er wird dich holen Wenn du nicht folgst meinem Gebot“ Und das glauben wir bis heute So in Angst sind Land und Leute Etwas Schlimmes wird gescheh'n Das Böse kommt, wird nicht mehr geh'n Und die Furcht wächst in die Nacht Tür und Tore sind bewacht Die Rücken nass, die Hände klamm Alle haben Angst vorm schwarzen Mann (Du) In Dunkelheit schleicht er heran Bist du nicht brav, fasst er dich an Traue keinem Fremden dann So viel Albtraum, so viel Wahn Und so glauben wir bis heute Schwer bewaffnet ist die Meute Ach, sie können es nicht lassen Schreien Feuer in die Gassen Und die Furcht wächst in die Nacht Gar kein Auge zu gemacht Die Rücken nass, die Hände klamm Alle haben Angst vorm schwarzen Mann (Du) (Du) (Du) Wer hat Angst vorm schwarzen Mann? Wer hat Angst vorm schwarzen Mann? Wer hat Angst vorm schwarzen Mann? Wer hat Angst? Und die Furcht wächst in die Nacht Gar kein Auge zugemacht Die Rücken nass, die Hände klamm Alle haben Angst (Du) (Du) Schwarzer Mann (Du) (Du) Schwarzer Mann
English translation (You) (You) (You) (You) (You) (You) When the children are uneducated The father already has threatened "The Black Man, he'll get you If you don't follow my commandment" And we believe that to this day So scared are the country and its people Something bad will happen The evil comes, won't go anymore And the fear grows into the night Door and gates are guarded The back's wet, the hands clammy Everyone is afraid of the Black Man (You) In the dark, he sneaks up If you're not good, he'll touch you Trust no stranger then So much nightmare, so much craze And so we believe to this day The pack is heavily armed Oh, they can't stop it Scream fire in the alleys And the fear grows into the night Not a wink of sleep at all The back's wet, the hands clammy Everyone is afraid of the Black Man (You) (You) (You) Who is afraid of the Black Man? Who is afraid of the Black Man? Who is afraid of the Black Man? Who is afraid? And the fear grows into the night Not a wink of sleep at all The back's wet, the hands clammy Everyone is afraid (You) (You) Black Man (You) (You) Black Man
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