Forever Young – Bilingual Lyrics German/English

• By: AnnenMayKantereit, Malte Zierden

Lyrics & Translation

Explore AnnenMayKantereit's compelling cover of "Forever Young," a song that transcends generations. This version, featuring Wolfgang Niedecken, provides a unique opportunity to appreciate the nuances of German musical interpretation while reflecting on the universal longing for eternal youth.

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
young /jʌŋ/ A1	adjective - not old; in an early stage of life, growth, or development.
bless /blɛs/ B1	verb - to ask for divine favour and protection for (someone or something).
keep /kiːp/ A1	verb - to continue to have or hold (something); to retain possession of.
wish /wɪʃ/ A2	noun - a desire or hope for something to happen. verb - to want something to happen or to be true, even if it is unlikely or impossible.
true /truː/ A1	adjective - in accordance with fact or reality; accurate or exact.
stay /steɪ/ A1	verb - to remain in the same place or condition.
courageous /kəˈreɪdʒəs/ B2	adjective - not deterred by danger or pain; brave.
strong /strɒŋ/ A2	adjective - having the power to move heavy weights or perform other physically demanding tasks.
hand /hænd/ A1	noun - the end part of a person's arm beyond the wrist, including the fingers and thumb.
busy /ˈbɪzi/ A2	adjective - occupied with work or activity.
foot /fʊt/ A1	noun - the lower extremity of the leg, below the ankle, on which a person stands or walks.
swift /swɪft/ B2	adjective - happening or moving quickly or promptly.
foundation /faʊnˈdeɪʃən/ B2	noun - the lowest load-bearing part of a building, typically below ground level; also used metaphorically for a basis or underlying principle.
wind /wɪnd/ A2	noun - the natural movement of the air, especially in the form of a current or gust.
change /tʃeɪndʒ/ A1	noun - the act or process of making or becoming different. verb - to make or become different.
shift /ʃɪft/ B1	verb - to move or cause to move from one place or position to another. noun - a slight change in position, direction, or tendency.
God /ɡɒd/ A2	noun - (in Christianity and other monotheistic religions) the creator and ruler of the universe and source of all moral authority; the supreme being.
right /raɪt/ A1	adjective - morally good, justified, or acceptable; in a correct or proper state.

Key Grammar Structures

• May God bless and keep you always,

  ➔ Modals (Wish/Blessing)

  ➔ The auxiliary verb "May" is used here to express a wish or a blessing. It's often followed by the base form of the verb ("bless", "keep").

• Weil es okay, wenn du nach Sternen greifst.

  ➔ German: Subordinate Clause (Reason), Conjunction "weil"

  ➔ The conjunction "weil" (because) introduces a subordinate clause, which explains the reason for the main clause. In a "weil" clause, the conjugated verb ("greifst") moves to the end of the clause.

• Spring über jedes Horn.

  ➔ German: Imperative Mood (Command)

  ➔ The verb "Spring" is in the imperative mood, used to give a direct command or instruction. For the informal "du" form, it's typically just the verb stem (for strong verbs, often with a vowel change like "springen" -> "spring").

• Dann lieb' ich's, hätte ich je gedrückt.

  ➔ German: Konjunktiv II (Past Hypothetical/Unreal Conditional)

  ➔ "hätte ich je gedrückt" is an example of the Konjunktiv II in the past, expressing a hypothetical or unreal condition in the past. It translates to "if I had ever pressed/pushed it."

• Ob das zu oft ist, zu dem Hürden.

  ➔ German: Subordinate Clause (Indirect Question/Concession), Conjunction "ob"

  ➔ The conjunction "ob" (whether/if) introduces a subordinate clause, often an indirect question or expressing doubt/concession. Like "weil" clauses, the conjugated verb ("ist") moves to the end.

• and let others do for you.

  ➔ Causative Verb "let" + Bare Infinitive

  ➔ The verb "let" is a causative verb, meaning it expresses that someone allows or causes something to happen. It is followed by an object ("others") and then a bare infinitive (the base form of the verb without "to") ("do").

• May you always be courageous,

  ➔ Adverb of Frequency with Modals

  ➔ The adverb "always" indicates that the wish expressed by "May" is for a continuous or perpetual state. It usually comes between the modal verb ("May") and the main verb ("be").

• Dann bleibst du immer jung.

  ➔ German: Present Tense for Future Events/General Truths

  ➔ In German, the present tense ("bleibst") can often be used to express future events or general truths, especially when the context (like "dann" - then, or "immer" - always) makes the future clear, or it's a consequence that holds true.

• Auch dass die Herz. Immer einen Durchschlägt.

  ➔ German: Subordinate Clause (Noun Clause), Conjunction "dass"

  ➔ The conjunction "dass" (that) introduces a subordinate clause that often functions as a noun clause, providing content or a fact. Similar to other subordinate clauses, the conjugated verb ("Durchschlägt") moves to the end.