Wenn et Bedde sich lohne däät [English translation]

[Chorus:]

If prayer was worth it,

what'd you think I'd pray for?

Yeah, if prayer was worth it,

what'd you think I'd pray for, pray for?

Not in any order, I'd just start

not with Adam and not with Omega

but everyone and everything would be in there somewhere...

For the things that aren't working out

for the things that haunt me

for the things that aren't ever gonna change

and of course for the things I love.

From a choral for the pigeon of the cathedral

that dies in the gutter crippled

to psalms for the weather

and the hours spent with you that are too short.

I'd be praying like hell

I'd be praying anyway I could

I'd be praying for all what comes into my mind

but I'd pray for nothing that they tell me I must.

"You must!"

[Chorus]

A rosary for the poet

who appears in a wolf's disguise though he's only a sheep

next to a troubadour and a prophet

whose smiles diminish day by day.

I'd light a candle for Elvis,

order a Holy Mass for John

I'd have processions running for Janis

all those heroes would be acknowledged.

And a Lord's Prayer for the commander

who's waiting to be eventually defeated

who throws up at his triumphal processions

who has retrieved enough obelisks.

For the two philosophers who shout at each other

locked away in an ivory tower

who've been fighting forever

out of mercy just a fast and fervent prayer

just a fast and fervent prayer

[Chorus]

I'd pray for someone who throws a wrench in the works

and I'd applaud every bathroom cleaner

Loads of love for everyone

and I wouldn't give Sisyphus1 only a break.

I'd stop big money transfers

and send the crown jewels to the junkyard.

Maybe I'd envy those who can believe.

But forget it, I'm not a ghost hunter.

Lord, if prayer wasn't so useless

we'd soon be at that point

where it doesn't matter who's right

where connections and money don't count.

We're all together by the way of the cross

where you fall for the third time

fall for the third time.

[Chorus]

1. In Greek mythology a man who must forever roll a boulder up a hill to the top of Hades (the underworld = Hell)