Johnny Cash...in German!

Since I'd missed most of the Christmas markets, I was determined to get a small dose of German Christmas wonderfulness while I still can. Sunday evening we made a quick run to the World's Largest Feuerzangebowle at Isartor. It's small, but the square is filled with stands selling crepes, wurst, and pommes, and of course feuerzangebowle.

Isartor Feuerzangebowle

What we enjoy about this one (besides the fact that they remain open through Jan 6!), is that they show the classic movie die Feuerzangebowle on the Isartor walls. The also usually pipe in older American music.

Which is exactly why we found ourselves wondering, that sounds like Johnny Cash, but is it really him singing in German?

Yep, it is.

I'm not sure whether or not if he had any special motivation since he spent 3 years near Landsberg with the military, but Johnny Cash apparently recorded a few songs in German.

His 1978 compilation album The Unissued Johnny Cash of previously unreleased recordings (made in 1958-62) includes 2 tracks in German: Wo Ist Zu Hause, Mama (Five Feet High and Rising) and Viel Zu Sp ät (I Got Stripes). Apparently he recorded these when his songs became popular in German. Pretty forward-thinking for the time!

He also later recorded a German version of I Walk the Line. As you can see from the lyrics below, it's quite a different song. But it still sounds good and is probably better than trying to directly translate a song that has a lot of sayings in it.

Wer kennt den Weg Am allerschonsten war es doch zu Haus Und doch zog's mich einst in die Welt hinaus Und in der Ferne suchte ich mein Glück Wer kennt den Weg, den Weg zuruck Sie schenkte mir die Liebe und ihr Herz Doch ich bracht' ihr nur Tranen, Leid und Schmerz Denn ich verliesie und damit mein Gluck Wer kennt den Weg, den Weg zuruck Wer kennt den Weg zuruck in jene Zeit Den Weg zuruck in die Vergangenheit Den Weg nach Hause und zum ersten Glück Wer kennt den Weg, den Weg zuruck

(Translated) Who knows the way The most beautiful thing was to be at home And I was drawn out into the world And in the distance I sought my luck Who knows the way, the way back She gave me love and her heart But I brought her only tears, sorrow and pain So I lost her and with her my luck Who knows the way, the way back Who knows the way back in those days The way back to the past The way home and to that first luck Who knows the way, the way back

(Original) I Walk the Line I keep a close watch on this heart of mine. I keep my eyes wide open all the time. I keep the ends out for the tie that binds. Because you're mine, I walk the line. I find it very, very easy to be true. I find myself alone when each day is through. Yes, I'll admit that I'm a fool for you. Because you're mine, I walk the line. As sure as night is dark and day is light. I keep you on my mind both day and night. And happiness I've known proves that it's right Because you're mine, I walk the line. You've got a way to keep me on your side. You give me cause for love that I can't hide. For you I know I'd even try to turn the tide. Because you're mine, I walk the line.

He also appeared on the popular German show Wetten dass...? in 1983. Though he performed two songs in English, he did speak a bit to the audience in German between songs. Sure, he stumbles through it, but I certainly can't criticize anyone's attempts to speak a foreign language! I'm impressed he made the effort.

Wer kennt den Weg   Am allerschonsten war es doch zu Haus Und doch zog's mich einst in die Welt hinaus Und in der Ferne suchte ich mein Glück Wer kennt den Weg, den Weg zuruck   Sie schenkte mir die Liebe und ihr Herz Doch ich bracht' ihr nur Tranen, Leid und Schmerz Denn ich verliesie und damit mein Gluck Wer kennt den Weg, den Weg zuruck   Wer kennt den Weg zuruck in jene Zeit Den Weg zuruck in die Vergangenheit Den Weg nach Hause und zum ersten Glück Wer kennt den Weg, den Weg zuruck

(Translated) Who knows the way The most beautiful thing was to be at home AndI was drawn out into the world And in the distance I sought my luck Who knows the way, the way back   She gave me love and her heart But I brought her only tears, sorrow and pain So I lost her and with her my luck Who knows the way, the way back Who knows the way back in those days The way back to the past The way home and to that first luck Who knows the way, the way back

(Original) I Walk the Line I keep a close watch on this heart of mine. I keep my eyes wide open all the time. I keep the ends out for the tie that binds. Because you're mine, I walk the line. I find it very, very easy to be true. I find myself alone when each day is through. Yes, I'll admit that I'm a fool for you. Because you're mine, I walk the line. As sure as night is dark and day is light. I keep you on my mind both day and night. And happiness I've known proves that it's right Because you're mine, I walk the line. You've got a way to keep me on your side. You give me cause for love that I can't hide. For you I know I'd even try to turn the tide. Because you're mine, I walk the line.