*bows* Thanks for sharing my brain itch. That makes it easier to bear.
I really should make a playlist (once I figure out how) of my favorite renditions of this song.
In this version a young woman sings it to a different melody (but, luckily, still in key). And one of the commenters (who, I'm assuming, is German), provided this brief history:
(Quote) 1848 was a revolution in Germany, the democracy dured unfortunately only a few time , when there were the parlament in the Pauulkirche or Pauls church. Then the revelotionars were put in jails. This song is about revolutionars in jails, who are singing "The thoughts are staying free, also if we are in the deepest cellar". It is very loved in Germany, especially in circles where people do not want again a dictature. It is a song about peace and democracy. Thank you for singing it. (Unquote)
So apparently, The White Rose was drawing on a century of tradition when they chose this song (Which could be why they chose it -- because it underlined their whole stance that "No, this Nazi Movement is not true to our German identity"). And the Kevess version did not veer very far from the original intent of the song.
But -- There are more ways to protest that shouting at the top of your lungs: "I'm Protesting! I'm the True Hero!" And sometimes, sneaky and quiet, and subversive is more powerful.
(And my mother was tone deaf. I'm afraid I really hurt her feelings, as a small child, when I asked her to please not sing me a lullaby, because she always sang "wrong notes.")
no subject
I really should make a playlist (once I figure out how) of my favorite renditions of this song.
In this version a young woman sings it to a different melody (but, luckily, still in key). And one of the commenters (who, I'm assuming, is German), provided this brief history:
(Quote) 1848 was a revolution in Germany, the democracy dured unfortunately only a few time , when there were the parlament in the Pauulkirche or Pauls church. Then the revelotionars were put in jails. This song is about revolutionars in jails, who are singing "The thoughts are staying free, also if we are in the deepest cellar". It is very loved in Germany, especially in circles where people do not want again a dictature. It is a song about peace and democracy. Thank you for singing it. (Unquote)
So apparently, The White Rose was drawing on a century of tradition when they chose this song (Which could be why they chose it -- because it underlined their whole stance that "No, this Nazi Movement is not true to our German identity"). And the Kevess version did not veer very far from the original intent of the song.
But -- There are more ways to protest that shouting at the top of your lungs: "I'm Protesting! I'm the True Hero!" And sometimes, sneaky and quiet, and subversive is more powerful.
(And my mother was tone deaf. I'm afraid I really hurt her feelings, as a small child, when I asked her to please not sing me a lullaby, because she always sang "wrong notes.")