Jedem das Seine

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a bleak, surreal tableau where a figure lies "like a dog under the table," while mythological figures like Charon and Noah observe from a distance. This opening establishes a sense of profound despair and detachment, juxtaposing the mundane suffering with cosmic indifference. The narrator, positioned by the window, watches a mountain where Noah drinks wine, a scene that feels both ancient and alien, hinting at a world that has moved on or never truly cared. The core tension arises from the repeated, almost incantatory phrase, "Jedem das Seine!" – "To each his own!" This refrain, delivered by the "last creature out of the ark," suggests a fatalistic acceptance of individual fates, no matter how grim. The narrator's own experiences, described as falling into "her nets" and suffering a symbolic "cross" in his blood, are framed by this indifferent pronouncement. The loss of memory and identity over time further emphasizes a sense of inevitable decay and insignificance. The imagery of the roulette wheel in the third verse is particularly striking. The narrator gambles everything on "zero" and loses, a moment of absolute ruin. The indifferent croupier, the discarded chips, and the black funeral suit all reinforce the theme of inescapable loss and finality. The phrase "Jedem das Seine!" is delivered again by the hearse driver, cementing the idea that this is the ultimate, unchangeable decree for everyone. What makes these lyrics so potent is their unflinching portrayal of despair through stark, dreamlike imagery and a relentless, fatalistic refrain. The narrative doesn't offer comfort or resolution, but rather a chilling acceptance of suffering and oblivion. The repetition of "Jedem das Seine!" acts as a constant reminder that each person's fate, however terrible, is their own, and the world will simply continue its indifferent course.