# German translation please: ''99 Luftballons'' **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 2, 2002, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/german-translation-please-99-luftballons/112035 "2002-06-02T19:49:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2002, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/german-translation-please-99-luftballons/112035/1 "2002-06-02T19:49:49Z")
Just looking for a \*literal translation of the original German lyrics: [http://members.ozemail.com.au/~smendham/music/nena-99luftballoons.html](http://members.ozemail.com.au/~smendham/music/nena-99luftballoons.html) \*Or idiomatic, if it’s a phrase that would be meaningless in English. ---
**Author:** ![Daoloth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/82dd89/32.png) [@Daoloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daoloth)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2002, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/german-translation-please-99-luftballons/112035/2 "2002-06-02T19:56:12Z")
It starts out, “Hast du etwas Zeit fuer mich/dann singe ich ein Lied fuer dich/von 99 Luftballoons?” Which translates as, “Have you some time for me/that sing I a song for you/about 99 ballons?” And, that’s all I can translate off the top of my head. Heh. But, yeah, the German lyrics are kinda different than the English version. ---
**Author:** ![Schnitte](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/schnitte/32/9033_2.png) [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2002, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/german-translation-please-99-luftballons/112035/3 "2002-06-02T20:08:41Z")
“Auf ihrem Weg zum Horizont Denkst Du vielleicht grad’ an mich Dann singe ich ein Lied fuer Dich Von 99 Luftballons Und dass sowas von sowas kommt” On their way to the horizon Maybe you’re thinking of me right now Then I’ll sing a song for you About 99 ballons And that something like this derives from somewthing like this “99 Luftballons Auf ihrem Weg zum Horizont Hielt man fuer UFOs aus dem All Darum schickte ein General Eine Fliegerstaffel hinterher Alarm zu geben, wenn es so war Dabei war da am Horizont Nur 99 Luftballons” 99 ballons On their way to the horizon Were thought to be UFOs from space That’s why some general Sent an air squadron after them To raise alarm, if it were like this But there at the horizon Were simply 99 ballons “99 Duesenjaeger Jeder war ein grosser Krieger Hielten sich fuer Captain Kirk Das gab ein grosses Feuerwerk Die Nachbarn haben nichts gerafft Und fuehlten sich gleich angemacht Dabei schoss man am Horizont Auf 99 Luftballons” 99 jetfighters Every single was a big warrior Considered themselves Capain Kirk It was a huge firework The neighbors didn’t grasp anything And felt pissed Although they were simply shooting 99 ballons at the horizon “99 Kriegsminister Streichholz und Benzinkanister Hielten sich fuer schlaue Leute Witterten schon fette Beute Riefen: Krieg und wollten Macht Mann, wer haette das gedacht Dass es einmal soweit kommt Wegen 99 Luftballons” 99 war ministers Like a match and a canister of gasoline Considered themselves clever people Were smelling a great prey They shouting: War, and wanted power Who would have thought that it could end liek this Because of 99 ballons “99 Jahre Krieg Liessen keinen Platz fuer Sieger Kriegsminister gibt es nicht mehr Und auch keine Duesenflieger Heute zieh ich meine Runden Seh die Welt in Truemmern liegen Hab’ nen Luftballon gefunden Denk’ an Dich und lass’ ihn fliegen” 99 years of war Didn’t leave space for victors There are no war ministers any more And no jetfighters either Today I’m walking araound See the world in ruins I found a ballon I’m thinking of you and let it fly. ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2002, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/german-translation-please-99-luftballons/112035/4 "2002-06-02T20:12:59Z")
Many thanks. . . ---
**Author:** ![femtosecond](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f08c70/32.png) [@femtosecond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/femtosecond)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2002, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/german-translation-please-99-luftballons/112035/5 "2002-06-02T20:16:33Z")
Google “nena 99 literal” : [http://gladstone.uoregon.edu/~nbelitz/nora/nena-99luftballons.html](http://gladstone.uoregon.edu/~nbelitz/nora/nena-99luftballons.html) German version, English version, and literal translation. ---
**Author:** ![Schnitte](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/schnitte/32/9033_2.png) [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2002, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/german-translation-please-99-luftballons/112035/6 "2002-06-02T20:29:37Z")
You’re welcome. My apologies for that cluster of typos. [sub]I love that song…it’s just as old as me (1983) ;)[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![stockton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5a626/32.png) [@stockton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stockton)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2002, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/german-translation-please-99-luftballons/112035/7 "2002-06-02T21:42:19Z")
Can anyone do Toni Basil’s espanol version of “Mickey” now? ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2002, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/german-translation-please-99-luftballons/112035/8 "2002-06-02T21:49:33Z")
Gee, when you translate it straight from German, it sounds even lamer. God, I hated that song. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2002, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/german-translation-please-99-luftballons/112035/9 "2002-06-02T23:21:51Z")
> [@](#): > > Gee, when you translate it straight from German, it sounds even lamer. Huh? I’ve always thought the German lyrics were a pretty harsh indictment of the world political situation of the 1980s. I translated the lyrics way back when, and this is what I came up with: Do you have some time for me? Then I will sing a song for you Of 99 toy balloons On their way to the horizon Perhaps you will think well of me And I will sing a song for you Of 99 toy balloons And come from that what may… 99 toy balloons On their way to the horizon Were thought UFOs from outer space So a general sent a a squadron up To give the alarm if such was the case But all that was on the horizon Was 99 toy balloons 99 fighter pilots Each one was a greater warrior Saw themselves as Captain Kirk That’s what caused the fireworks The neighbours (neighbouring countries) had no idea And felt they were being screwed over. And so they shot on a horizon Of 99 toy balloons 99 War Ministers Matches and gasoline canisters! Saw themselves as sly people Already collecting the fat booty Shouting, “War!” and wanting power Man, who would have thought That when “The Big One” finally came It would be caused by 99 toy balloons? 99 years of war left no place for victors The War Ministers are no more And there are no fighter pilots Today trudge in my rounds I see the world laying in ruins I’ve found a toy balloon I think of you and let it fly. ---
**Author:** ![Daoloth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/82dd89/32.png) [@Daoloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daoloth)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2002, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/german-translation-please-99-luftballons/112035/10 "2002-06-02T23:24:12Z")
It sounds better in German. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2002, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/german-translation-please-99-luftballons/112035/11 "2002-06-02T23:26:38Z")
> [@](#): > > It sounds better in German. The German version is certainly better than “Worry, worry, super-scurry / Call the troops out in a hurry!” 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Daoloth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/82dd89/32.png) [@Daoloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daoloth)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2002, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/german-translation-please-99-luftballons/112035/12 "2002-06-02T23:27:39Z")
I’ve never actually heard the English version, but it looks pretty bad. ---
**Author:** ![Laughing\_Lagomorph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/6bbea6/32.png) [@Laughing\_Lagomorph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laughing_Lagomorph)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2002, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/german-translation-please-99-luftballons/112035/13 "2002-06-03T03:07:12Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Johnny L.A. \* > \*\* > The German version is certainly better than “Worry, worry, super-scurry / Call the troops out in a hurry!” 😛 \*\* Especially since the singer always seemed to me to pronounce that last line: “Caww the twoops out in a huwwy!” I’ve always wondered if Captain Kirk was a well known character in Germany when this song came out. What was it, 1983? That was before all but one of the Star Trek movies I think, and before all the shows but TOS. Was Star Trek popular in Germany in the early 80s? Or was it more of a cult thing? ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2002, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/german-translation-please-99-luftballons/112035/14 "2002-06-03T04:39:13Z")
_Star Trek_ was (and is) very popular in Germany, with the exception of a single episode that was forbidden by consitutional law. ---
**Author:** ![Victory\_Candescence](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Victory\_Candescence](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Victory_Candescence)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2002, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/german-translation-please-99-luftballons/112035/15 "2002-06-03T05:25:33Z")
\ Forbidden by constitutional law? What kind of episode could cause that? \ ---
**Author:** ![Flymaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c4cdca/32.png) [@Flymaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flymaster)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2002, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/german-translation-please-99-luftballons/112035/16 "2002-06-03T05:47:18Z")
I believe there was a nazi episode…and, what with that dust-up in the 40s, I don’t think the Germans look to kindly of bringing such topics up for mere sci-fi shows. IANATOGCLA (Trekkie or German Constitutional Law Authority) ---
**Author:** ![Kaboodle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8edcca/32.png) [@Kaboodle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaboodle)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2002, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/german-translation-please-99-luftballons/112035/17 "2002-06-03T05:52:04Z")
IIRC Germany has all kinds of restrictions on anything referring or relating to the Nazis. _Star Trek_ had a Nazi related episode. I’m sure someone can give you details on the episode if you’re interested. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2002, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/german-translation-please-99-luftballons/112035/18 "2002-06-03T06:00:04Z")
The episode _Patterns of Force_ was full of Nazi paraphenalia; swastikas and salutes and whatnot, displays of which are serious constitional offenses under German law. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2002, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/german-translation-please-99-luftballons/112035/19 "2002-06-03T06:01:52Z")
I meant _constitutional_ of course. The episode summary is [here](http://startrek.com/library/tos_episodes/episodes_tos_detail_68764.asp). ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2002, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/german-translation-please-99-luftballons/112035/20 "2002-06-03T06:03:45Z")
\ There is (or was, at any rate) a parody of _99 Red Balloons_ called “99 Dead Babboons,” which dealt with a guy who found 99 dead babboons in his apartment one morning. Highly recommended for the sheer comic value, with verses like 99 dead babboons Sitting in my living room How they got here, I’m not sure Woke up one day, there they were. Luckily I’ve got a lease Allowing pets if they’re deceased I’m just thankful they’re not apes 'Cause apes would clash with the drapes No more napkins at my party Wipe your hands on a dead babboon! I have it on an audio tape somewhere. **Sam Stone** would probably enjoy it. 🙂 \ [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/german-translation-please-99-luftballons/112035.md?page=2)