Lokomotivführer

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a picture of a collective yearning for a specific, seemingly simple profession: becoming a train driver. The repeated refrain, "Ich will Lokomotivführer werden" (I want to become a train driver), anchors the song in a shared aspiration. This desire is presented as a universal goal, extending to "Du" (you), "Er" (he), and even acknowledging "Sie" (she) as already being one. The insistent "TUUT! TUUT!" sound effects punctuate this desire, like a train horn signaling its presence and purpose. The verses offer a stark contrast, dismissing other professions as undesirable or problematic. Being a captain is "nichts" (nothing), an astronaut is "zu gefährlich" (too dangerous), and a bank teller is "zu ehrlich" (too honest). Even criminals are ruled out due to the consequence of "kommen ins Gefängnis" (going to prison). This systematic rejection of alternatives highlights the train driver's role as the ideal, a safe and perhaps noble pursuit in the narrator's eyes. The most striking element is the abrupt introduction of "Blumenkohlpläne" (cauliflower plans) in the fourth verse, repeated four times with the train horn. This non-sequitur injects a surreal, almost absurd quality into the otherwise straightforward ambition. It suggests that the grand plans and desires might be as nonsensical or as simple as planning for cauliflower, or perhaps that even the most mundane elements can be incorporated into the grand vision of the train driver's life. This juxtaposition of a clear, attainable goal with bizarre imagery creates a unique emotional texture. The lyrics effectively capture a sense of earnest, almost childlike ambition, while simultaneously hinting at the underlying absurdity or unexpected complexities that can arise when articulating one's deepest desires. The repetition and simple structure make the core wish undeniable, yet the "Blumenkohlpläne" leave the listener pondering the deeper, perhaps whimsical, meaning behind the train driver's dream.