In Germany Before The War

Album: Little Criminals (1977)
Play Video
  • In Germany Before The War
    There was a man who owned a store
    In nineteen hundred thirty four
    In Dusselford
    And every day at fine o nine
    He'd cross the park down to the Rhine
    And he'd sit there by the shore

    I'm looking at the river
    But I'm thinking of the sea
    I'm looking at the river
    But I'm thinking of the sea

    A little girl has lost her way
    With hair of gold and eyes of gray
    Reflected in his glasses
    As he watches her
    A little girl has lost her way

    I'm looking at the river
    But I'm thinking of the sea
    Thinking of the sea
    Thinking of the sea

    We lie beneath the autumn sky
    My little golden girl and I
    And she lies very still Writer/s: RANDY NEWMAN
    Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 4

  • Kant F. Sing from Houston TxWhat are incredibly strong about this song are the beautiful, minor composition with sound of violins, and the chorus, which immediately draws me in. I can picture myself just like this murderer, looking at the river but thinking of the sea... How seemingly very ordinary people, just like a regular shop keeper, just like me, can also be hideous monsters.
  • Dude from CaEric, I'm not sure I'd call this interpretation the "true meaning." Newman used to introduce the song in concert simply by saying, "this is a song about a child-murderer." That doesn't mean it doesn't have another meaning beyond the surface, as well, but as far as I've been able to discover, he hasn't talked about one in public.
  • Arne Biesma from Amsterdam, NetherlandsNewman wants to get the scene setting sorted from the first line. That could only mean that the song had to be set in 1934 as none of the historically more accurate years would have rhymed with: In Germany before the war.
  • Eric from Camas, WaWow, I didn't know about the song's true meaning. Now the song is REALLY creepy.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: Tarantino Edition

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: Tarantino EditionMusic Quiz

Whether he's splitting ears or burning Nazis, Quentin Tarantino uses memorable music in his films. See if you can match the song to the scene.

Jimmy Jam

Jimmy JamSongwriter Interviews

The powerhouse producer behind Janet Jackson's hits talks about his Boyz II Men ballads and regrouping The Time.

Song Cities

Song CitiesMusic Quiz

Nirvana, Billy Joel and Bruce Springsteen are among those who wrote songs with cities that show up in this quiz.

"Private Eyes" - The Story Behind the Song

"Private Eyes" - The Story Behind the SongSong Writing

How a goofy detective movie, a disenchanted director and an unlikely songwriter led to one of the biggest hits in pop history.

Guy Clark

Guy ClarkSongwriter Interviews

Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris and Lyle Lovett are just a few of the artists who have looked to Clark for insightful, intelligent songs.

Steely Dan

Steely DanFact or Fiction

Did they really trade their guitarist to The Doobie Brothers? Are they named after something naughty? And what's up with the band name?