Leksykon Brockhausa

Song Meaning

The lyrics present a peculiar domestic scene, centering on a massive, aging collection of Brockhaus encyclopedias. The narrator acknowledges their cosmic insignificance – "it doesn't matter if you look from Mars" – yet they occupy a tangible space in their home, a collection of "17 bricks" that feel heavy and difficult to build with. This juxtaposition of the vast and the mundane sets a tone of slightly melancholic, intellectual curiosity, tinged with the weight of history and abandonment. The central tension arises from the encyclopedias' past and their uncertain future. The narrator wonders about the previous owner, who fled in haste, leaving behind "everything" except Brockhaus and a book on German colonies. The collection itself seems to resist engagement, described as "stubborn" and overlooked even by looters, suggesting it's a relic of a forgotten era. It stands as the "only legacy" of former inhabitants, a "world that doesn't exist" preserved in print, waiting for a purpose. The most striking aspect is the narrator's re-appropriation of these historical artifacts. Despite their age and the apparent futility of their original purpose, the narrator finds a new role for them. The encyclopedias, which "time bypasses," are now seen as potential building blocks. The narrator declares, "when the time comes to build a bridge, and it will come, I'm sure / I'll add 17 bricks," transforming a symbol of the past into a resource for future construction. This act imbues the dusty volumes with a renewed, albeit speculative, significance. This lyrical approach is effective because it grounds abstract ideas of history, legacy, and potential in a concrete, almost absurd, image: 17 heavy encyclopedias. The narrator's personal connection to these objects, their decision to "pick one from the shelf" and their ultimate commitment to using them as "bricks," creates a powerful narrative arc. It’s a quiet assertion of agency, finding value and purpose in remnants that others might discard, suggesting that even forgotten knowledge can be foundational for what's to come.