Bootless Life

Men limping out of war 
Behind them endless hell 
Memory sticks to condensed life 
Inaudible the inner yell 
A crippled soul, the battle's fees 
Splendid vacuity of peace 
Oh yes, oh no 

People clutch at the system 
Overtaken by the doom 
Longing clings to the vision 
Heaven’s canvas in the room 
Someone came and gave you a cosh 
Great when meaning becomes bosh 
Oh yes, oh no 

Completely lost they live into the void 
Their bodies cowering there by the roadside foiled 
Their souls destroyed are crawling slowly by the dome 
They’ll stay out there and they will never return home 
Trembling all over hopelessly raising their palms 
This is a bootless life they only beg for alms 
Bootless life, into the void 
Bootless life, into the void 

We go into isolation 
Invisible the threat 
Back shall easiness of life 
I’m straitjacketed in my flat 
Be calm, stay quiet, make no fuss 
Accept the mask between us 
Oh yes, oh no 

Completely lost we live into the void 
Our bodies cowering there by the roadside foiled 
Our souls destroyed are crawling slowly by the dome 
We stay out there and we will never return home 
Trembling all over hopelessly raising our palms 
This is a bootless life we only beg for alms 
Bootless life, into the void 
Bootless life, into the void 

One of us is sacrificed 
There’s one who knows only herself 
Inside a cleft of cohesion 
Crystal ball on a cracked thin shelf 
Love has been nothing but twee 
Unbearable as gewgaw the we 
Oh yes, oh no 

Completely lost I live into the void 
My body cowering there by the roadside foiled 
My soul destroyed is crawling slowly by the dome 
I’ll stay out there and I will never return home 
Trembling all over hopelessly raising my palms 
This is a bootless life I only beg for alms 
Bootless life, into the void 
Bootless life, into the void 

Lyrics & Music: Dirk Röse 
Recorded: 2020 
© 2020

Loss

An angel stands 
In front of me and in his hands 
He holds a golden glowing shrine 
Desirably divine 

I find myself down in the dark cellar deep in the night 
He says »Do not fear, I got news for you, let there be light«

His fingers quake a bit 
Then open the lid 
Excited I bend over to find out what it may hide 

An angel stands 
In front of me and in his hands 
He holds a golden glowing shrine 
Desirably divine 

But all that I see are just letters and mails and some notes 
With deep-hearted love, joy and tenderness somebody wrote 
»These are good news – good grief! 
You never received«
The angel had mercy and kept my loss, a bitter load 

Good news is good news only when it succeeds and 
Good news is bad news always when it’s off target 
Good news is good news right when it becomes real and 
Bad news is good news always when it stays off and ... 

I've lost tomorrow 
I've lost yesterday 
I've lost my health 
I've lost my shape 
I've lost Bowie 
I really miss Elvis 
I have lost Jesus 
I've lost my believe 
No more family 
And I've lost my children 
I've lost  confidence 
I've lost  hope 
I forgot about laughing 
I've lost myself 
I have lost love 
I've lost you 

Lyrics & Music: Dirk Röse 
Recorded: 2020 
© 1984, 1996, 2020 

I Feel Like I've Felt Never Like Today

And suddenly I notice her face

I look at her, she looks at me

She gives me a smile and it is sweet and violent

Has a lovely style and it takes me a while then

I walk up to her and start a conversation

She comes closer and she isn’t very patient

She takes my hand and drags me with her

I walk with her, she walks with me

Over to the dancefloor, this is what we came for

How she moves she makes sure that she wants to give more

As we dance and touch each other, what a bliss

Slowly we move cheek to cheek and then we kiss

I feel like I’ve felt never like today

A little later we get wired

I follow her, she follows me

At home I grab her neck and she dares to grab my back

Build a sweaty stack and interloop our legs and

Then we hip hop through the rest of our good night

Finally fall asleep, done, in the morning light

I feel like I’ve felt never like today

A little late we sip a coffee

I love her, she’s in love with me

We are round the bend and we cannot amend and

It’s a start we’ve landed, we should never end it

We talk and make sure that we belong together

Meet again tonight and share our valued leisure

I feel like I’ve felt never like today

Lyrics & Music:  Dirk Röse 
Recorded: 2021 
© 1987, 1993 & 2021 

Der Glimmende Docht

Dezembernacht / über dem Horizont ein heller Schein 

Fliegt ein Komet / sein Schweif so hell, er soll ein Trost uns sein 

Die Menschheit wacht / Gott hat uns nicht vergessen, dieses Bild 

Für uns gedacht / wir sind es, denen seine Liebe gilt 

Den glimmenden Docht / löscht er nicht aus / geknickt ist der Halm / reißt ihn nicht heraus 

Ist das eine Hoffnung, die die Menschheit trägt / oder Sehnsucht, die noch viel mehr Elend hegt? 

Atlantikkurs / von Rotterdam aus Jan in See heut sticht 

Komet der Nacht / ein gutes Omen für ihn dieses Licht 

Der zähe Jan / das Leben hat ihm wahrlich nichts geschenkt 

Am Firmament / ein Zeichen, das alles zum Guten lenkt 

Den glimmenden Docht / löscht er nicht aus / geknickt ist der Halm / reißt ihn nicht heraus 

Ist das eine Hoffnung, die uns alle trägt / oder Sehnsucht, die noch viel mehr Elend hegt? 

Ein Sturm kommt auf / das Schiff gerät hinein, zum Spielball wird 

Der Seemann rutscht / über das nasse Deck, das Unheil spürt 

Das Meer, es tobt / mit Wellen häuserhoch, ist aufgewühlt 

Dann schreit Jan auf / die Woge hat ihn über Bord gespült 

Den glimmenden Docht / löscht er nicht aus / geknickt ist der Halm / reißt ihn nicht heraus 

Ist das eine Hoffnung, die uns alle trägt / oder Sehnsucht, die noch viel mehr Elend hegt? 

Jetzt ist er dran / das Schicksal nimmt gern seine Not in Kauf 

Noch einmal taucht / das Schiff ganz oben auf den Wellen auf 

Dann wird es still / in ihm, Jan schließt mit seinem Leben ab 

Die Einsamkeit / einer verlor’nen Seele, Seemannsgrab 

»Herr im Himmel / Rettung gibt es nicht. / Mach doch bitte jetzt / dass mein Auge bricht 

Lass mich nicht ertrinken / elendig voll Qual / mach ein schnelles Ende / ausnahmsweise mal« 

Den glimmenden Docht / löscht er nicht aus / geknickt ist der Halm / reißt ihn nicht heraus 

Ist das eine Hoffnung, die uns alle trägt / oder Sehnsucht, die noch viel mehr Elend hegt? 

Im Wellental / stürzt Wasser auf ihn, er um Atem ringt 

Das war’s dann wohl / denkt Jan voll Angst, als er im Meer versinkt 

Dann kommt er hoch / er schnappt nach Luft und bitterlich er lacht 

Das Spiel mit ihm / ums Überleben währt die ganze Nacht 

»Herr im Himmel / Hoffnung gibt es nicht. / Mach doch bitte jetzt / dass mein Auge bricht 

Ich bin hier allein / kein Zeuge deiner Tat / mach ein Ende jetzt / das Leiden ist zu hart 

Will nicht glimmen / nicht geknickt mehr sein / will lodern wie ein Feuer / wie der Sonnenschein 

Will in Blüte steh‘n / will im Wind mich dreh’n / will den Himmel seh’n / will auf Wolken geh‘n«

Den glimmenden Docht / löscht er nicht aus / geknickt ist der Halm / reißt ihn nicht heraus 

Das ist keine Hoffnung, die uns alle trägt / 

das bleibt mir ein Rätsel / das Gott vor aller Zeit in diese Welt gelegt 

Am nächsten Tag / zieht der Komet dahin bedeutungsleer 

Die Sonne scheint / ertränkt ihr Licht im eisigkalten Meer 

Ein zynisch Werk / dem Sturm folgt Kälte auf derselben Bahn 

Und Jan der treibt / auf einer Planke starr im Ozean 

Lyrics & Music:  Dirk Röse 
Recorded: 2020
© 2015

Up Down

And then again upwards 

And then again downwards 

And then again upwards 

And then again downwards 

Hey, ain’t life a bit more than these stupid ups and downs 

Hey, I’m fed up with this frightening noise of silence driven sounds 

Hey, I’m trapped in a rat race and the wheel goes round and round 

Hey, shouldn’t life be joyful instead of showing us a frown 

And then again upwards 

And then again downwards 

And then again upwards 

And then again downwards 

Gimme more ups 

Gimme more ups 

Gimme more ups 

Gimme less downs 

Hey, why is upwards always hard and downwards comes for free 

Hey, why is upwards far away and downwards after me 

Hey, will I stay in a basement flat, ain’t it a palace where I should be 

Hey, always two steps upwards and two steps downwards, can’t you see 

And then again upwards 

And then again downwards 

And then again upwards 

And then again downwards 

And then again upwards 

And then again downwards 

And then again upwards 

And then again downwards 

Gimme more ups 

Gimme more ups 

Gimme more ups 

Gimme less downs 

Lyrics & Music:  Dirk Röse 
Recorded: 2017
© 2017

Career Baby

The world was built around you as it seems

You neither had a sister nor a brother

And your emotions peak in angry screams

Thank God you never tended to be mother

You like to live your very own life

You always wanted to find your own way

You’d rather be alone than to be one’s wife

You won’t miss the top a single day

I must admit that you’re a damn good looking

Two hours sports a day, a steady vegan cooking

But you loved me once, fooled me twice

You went away then cold as ice

I said yes while you said maybe

You’re nothing but a dumb career baby

Your parents always called you little angel

But obviously you’re nothing but a bitch

There’s a revolving door deep in your panties

Who cares as long as you are getting rich

I must admit that you’re a damn good looking

Two hours sports a day, a steady vegan cooking

But you loved me once, fooled me twice

You went away then cold as ice

I said yes while you said maybe

You’re nothing but a dumb career baby

Double income, no kids

More bytes, no bits

More interest, less tax

No obligations, more sex

More money, more style

More luxury, more miles

And now your CEO shows no respect

At least it’s overtime what he expects

You work day-in day-out a steady bustle

Don’t you have a suspicion that’s a hustle

He does admit that you’re a damn good looking

Two hours sports a day, a steady vegan cooking

But he loved you once, fooled you twice

And you’re still there and cold as ice

He says yes while you say maybe

You’re nothing but a dumb career baby

Double income, no kids

More bytes, no bits

More interest, less tax

No obligations, more sex

More money, more style

More luxury, more miles

Career baby, career baby

Lyrics & Music: Dirk Röse
Recorded: 2017

© 2017 

Where Have These Times Gone

Where have all the good times gone 
When we shared the sun 
Where have all the good times gone 
When love always won whatever came our way 
Where have all the good times gone? 
I can’t say 
Days deep in the cushions, no chance for discussions 
We made love in a way I never felt before 
Where have these times gone 
When we felt much more? 

Where have all the good times gone 
When we were talking 
Where have all the good times gone 
When we were walking together along the riverside 
Where have all the good times gone 
Mutual guides 
We had illusions, ground-breaking solutions 
For every hard problem this world had left all the years 
Where have these times gone 
When there were no fears 

Where have all the good times gone 
Homemade paradise 
Where have all the good times gone 
When we appreciated ourselves more and more each day 
Where have all the good times gone 
They’re away 
Once you got started on me and I got started on you 
Our lives took off and heaven came so close and we spread our wings 
Where have these times gone? 
Who captured queen and king?

Lyrics & Music:  Astrid Grützner & Dirk Röse 
Recorded: 2021 
© 1983, 1986 & 1991 

First Fresh Spring Rain

Who would have ever thought we’d meet again 
But now we did, and all my life begins to breathe 
The wind that brings on long lost seeds for these 
Lonesome desert areas 
It’s crazy because I haven’t seen you for years 

Who would have ever thought I’d dream again 
I’d like to settle down with you and then take off 
A life, a home, good luck and all this stuff 
Show the world how our love goes 
I’m crazy because I haven’t thought of love for years 

You’re like a first fresh spring rain 
For a dried-up wheat-field 
You’re like a first warm spring wind 
After frozen winter days 
I feel like flowers growing 
All along true lovers’ paths 
I see the left and right side again that 
Frames my hazy ways 

Who would have ever thought I’d love again 
But now I do and I feel that you love me, too 
I know you get those goosebumps like I do 
When we hug each other tight 
We’re crazy because we haven’t been so close for years 
 

You’re like a first fresh spring rain 
For a dried-up wheat-field 
You’re like a first warm spring wind 
After frozen winter days 
I feel like flowers growing 
All along true lovers’ paths 
I see the left and right side again that 
Frames my hazy ways 
 

Lyrics & Music: Dirk Röse
Recorded: 2021
© 1992 

You Left Me

True is I walked away 

The cause is I gave all I had to you all day 

I had no more power to go on that way 

True is I walked away, the truth is you left me 

True is I left you behind 

The cause is that what was important to me you denied 

You closed your eyes, or is it that you were blind? 

True is I left you behind, the truth is you left me 

Don’t look at me 

As if you agree 

That you were the first one who mentally did leave 

Don’t look at me 

As if you agree 

That it’s only you with a certain cause to grieve 

True is I love you so 

The truth is I never would leave you, don’t you know? 

But when I walked out of the door you’d let me go 

True is I love you so, the truth is you left me 

Don’t look at me 

As if you agree 

That you were the first one who mentally did leave 

Don’t look at me 

As if you agree 

That it’s only you with a certain cause to grieve 

Lyrics & Music: Dirk Röse 
Recorded: 2018 
© 1999 & 2016

Waiting At Her Door

And no matter what my day turned into 

Was it luck or trouble that I went through 

I’ll be good to her, she knows for sure 

When I’m homeward bound she’s waiting at her door 

If there’s ever too much daily grind and 

If we’re weary even at the weekend 

She’ll come up with something nice and then 

She will turn any pale moon into gold again 

Woman, beautiful, there she is 

Her smile a thousand kind promises 

She’s heaven here on earth and so much more 

Woman waiting at her door 

She is down-to-earth, unique, appealing 

understanding, clever, tender, healing 

A real vision, someone to adore 

I can’t wait to meet her waiting at her door 

Woman, beautiful, there she is 

Her lips a thousand tender kisses 

She’s heaven here on earth to me and more 

Woman waiting at her door 

Lyrics & Music:  Dirk Röse 
Recorded: 2020
© 2012