Rammstein: Dalai Lama Meaning

Dalai Lama Lyrics

Ein Flugzeug liegt im Abendwind
An Bord ist auch ein Mann mit Kind
Sie sitzen sicher sitzen warm
und gehen so dem Schlaf ins Garn
In drei Stunden sind sie da
zum Wiegenfeste der Mama
Die Sicht ist gut der Himmel klar

Weiter, weiter ins...

1. vonzerotciv

   • 1
   • 2
   • 3
   • 4
   • 5

   click a star to vote

   Nov 4th 2017 !⃝

   In my opinion,this song is the most difficult one to be understood in every Rammstein's album.Clearly,the "Father" is Dalai Lama,he killed his "son"(People?), but what Rammstein wanna express?I asked some of my Chinese friends in university,they said that Dalai was once the religion leader of Tibet,who tried to divide Tibet from China and failed.Then he abandoned his "people" and escaped to USA at last.I don't think this is not true.However,Rammstein won't simply make fun of countries and politic problems,so there must be some misunderstanding,or even prejudice.Look at AMERIKA and MOSKAU,and you'll find out what I mean.

   This interpretation has been marked as poor. view anyway
2. Zetekh

   • 1
   • 2
   • 3
   • 4
   • 5

   click a star to vote

   Jun 26th 2014 !⃝

   lloydster9000 is right though his translation of Erlkönig is wrong. It means "King of Alders" not "King of the Elves". Alder trees seem to be a symbol of death like willows are to sadness and grieving, or oaks to strength and resistance.
   
   Now, if the title "Dalai Lama" is about his fear of flying, I really don't think it is a way to make fun. the Dalai Lama is supposed to be a strong, wise and deep person, and reminding his fear of heights (where man doesn't belong, accordingly to the song), highlights the helplesness of any man, even him, in front of the unstoppable Erlkönig, King of Winds, or other representation of the doom that hits humans when they outtake the limit.
3. sejgalloway

   • 1
   • 2
   • 3
   • 4
   • 5

   click a star to vote

   Oct 3rd 2012 !⃝

   I think the title of the track also has it's roots somewhere else, not just the current Dalai Lama's fear of flying.
   
   There is a synth plug-in used on the track, created by AudioNerdz, that is actually called "DelayLama". It's easier to pick out in the live bootlegs.
   
   ... Coincidence? You be the judge.
   
   
   
   Link to a demo of the plug-in:
   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdxZXhRV_nk&t=1m23s
   
   
   Link to live version of Dalai Lama:
   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxkaqvEr6bg&t=1m20s
   
   
   Link to DelayLama download (it's free to use):
   http://www.kvraudio.com/product/delay_lama_by_audionerdz
4. lloydster9000

   • 1
   • 2
   • 3
   • 4
   • 5

   click a star to vote

   Feb 17th 2011 !⃝

   This song is actually based on a Johann Wolfgang von Goethe poem called "Der Erlkönig", or "King of the Elves". It tells of a father and son riding a horse when the wind begins to hypnotize the child and eventually the child dies. The child in the song is on a flight with his father (much like the poem, but modernized). The title of the song, "Dalai Lama", makes fun of the current Dalai Lama's fear of flying.
5. anonymous

   • 1
   • 2
   • 3
   • 4
   • 5

   click a star to vote

   Dec 12th 2010 !⃝

   This song is about a trip on an aeroplane that starts to go badly. "Das ist der König aller Winde. Er will mich zu seinem Kinde" (English) "That is the king of all winds. He wants me to become his child." describes how some supernatural force wants the Dalai Lama to be with it, and is intervening with the aeroplane trip. The lyric "Weiter, weiter ins Verderben" (English) "Onwards, onwards into destruction" describes the inevidable doom that awaits the passengers. The chorus softens the doom by saying "Come here, stay here, we'll be good to you." so as to lull the passengers into sleep.
   
   As it so happens, the current Dalai Lama is afraid of flying, so that is probably the inspiration for the song.

Latest Articles

• 
  A new era for Millennial favorite, Linkin Park
• 
  Anime to watch for the soundtracks… and other reasons you’re undateable
• 
  Dolly, we need you
• 
  The Stranger Things Effect: How new media is drawing Gen Z and Alpha's attention to aging media
• 
  The most underrated soundtrack of the early 2000s
• 
  Buy the Soundtrack, Skip the Movie: Brainscan (1994)