Erben der Macht

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a stark picture of inherited aggression, suggesting that children, regardless of background, are taught to inflict harm. The opening lines observe children preferring "Räuber und Gendarm" (robbers and cops) over quieter games, with a chilling observation that "Fast jeder Junge... Schreit irgendeinmal: 'Peng, jetzt bist du tot'" (Almost every boy... screams sometime: 'Bang, now you're dead'). This isn't presented as innate evil, but rather something learned, as the narrator states, "Weit entfernt, er hat's von uns gelernt" (Far away, he learned it from us), implying a generational transmission of violence or conflict. The central tension arises in the refrain, where a new generation becomes "die Erben der Macht" (the heirs of power) "Auf einmal wie über Nacht" (suddenly overnight). This power seems to be the capacity for aggression or conflict they've inherited. The lyrics question if there's any way to conceal this inherited trait, asking "Gibt es keine Tarnung?" (Is there no camouflage?). The current generation admits to trying various methods, acknowledging they might be "verflucht" (cursed) for what they've passed on, but the real test for the heirs only begins after the current generation is gone. The second verse reinforces this theme by describing how quickly aggression is learned, even in infancy. The image of a child in a "Gitterbett" (crib) already knowing "wie man nach seiner Schwester tritt" (how to kick his sister) is particularly unsettling. Again, the narrator attributes this not to inherent nature but to learned behavior: "er hat's von uns gelernt." This cyclical learning process, passed down from one generation to the next, forms the core of the song's somber message about inherited conflict and the burden it places on future generations. What makes these lyrics so potent is their unflinching focus on the learned nature of aggression and the sense of unavoidable inheritance. The contrast between the innocence of childhood play and the violent impulses that emerge, coupled with the resigned acknowledgment of passing this down, creates a powerful sense of dread. The refrain's declaration that the "Prüfung beginnt / Erst dann, wenn wir nicht mehr sind" (test begins / Only when we are no more) leaves the listener with a haunting implication that the cycle of inherited conflict is destined to continue, a heavy legacy passed on without true escape.