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

Queen

QueenFact or Fiction

Scaramouch, a hoople and a superhero soundtrack - see if you can spot the real Queen stories.

Grunge Bands Quiz

Grunge Bands QuizMusic Quiz

If the name Citizen Dick means anything to you, there's a chance you'll get some of these right.

Tom Johnston from The Doobie Brothers

Tom Johnston from The Doobie BrothersSongwriter Interviews

The Doobies guitarist and lead singer, Tom wrote the classics "Listen To The Music," "Long Train Runnin'" and "China Grove."

Deconstructing Doors Songs With The Author Of The Doors Examined

Deconstructing Doors Songs With The Author Of The Doors ExaminedSong Writing

Doors expert Jim Cherry, author of The Doors Examined, talks about some of their defining songs and exposes some Jim Morrison myths.

Bass Player Scott Edwards

Bass Player Scott EdwardsSong Writing

Scott was Stevie Wonder's bass player before becoming a top session player. Hits he played on include "I Will Survive," "Being With You" and "Sara Smile."

Who Did It First?

Who Did It First?Music Quiz

Do you know who recorded the original versions of these ten hit songs?