Abwärts und nicht vergessen

Song Meaning

These lyrics paint a stark picture of inevitable conclusions, from rivers meeting the sea to planes landing. Yet, the recurring refrain introduces a powerful twist: a deliberate choice to extinguish light. This creates an immediate tension between natural cycles and active human agency. The central emotional conflict arises from this juxtaposition. While the verses describe universal endings—roads reaching destinations, films concluding—the refrain asserts, "Der Dunkelheit folgt stets das Licht" (Darkness is always followed by light), only to immediately counter with "Und jetzt blase ich das Licht aus" (And now I blow out the light). This isn't just about things ending; it's about actively plunging into profound darkness. The most compelling craft element is this direct subversion of a hopeful proverb. By following a statement of natural order with an intentional act of extinguishing, the lyrics transform a cycle of hope into a declaration of will. The resulting darkness is absolute, where "Man sieht die Hand vor Augen nicht" (You can't see your hand in front of your eyes), emphasizing a chosen oblivion or a radical reset. This deliberate act of embracing the "Abwärts" (downwards) movement, coupled with the insistence that it will be "nicht vergessen" (not forgotten), makes the lyrics deeply effective. They explore the power in accepting, or even initiating, an end, suggesting that some descents, though dark, carry a lasting significance. The mention of the "8. Tag" after everything has burned to ash hints at a new, perhaps self-created, order emerging from the void.