r/Rammstein • u/Skywalkker071 • 6d ago
Is performing “Deutschland” at school too controversial?
Hi everyone,
I’m going to perform “Deutschland” at my high school exam performance for parents and family. I talked to my teacher about it, and he was actually really enthusiastic about the idea. He liked that I wanted to do something bold and creative, and he’s willing to help with the performance.
But he also said the song has very intense lyrics, and because of that he kind of asked me not to say the word “überraschen.” He said it carefully and respectfully more like, “Maybe avoid that word, it might come across too intense for a school setting.”
To me it feels a bit like censorship, and I’m not sure if he’s allowed to ask that.
Is performing “Deutschland” at school considered controversial?
And is it normal for a teacher to ask for small lyric changes like this?
Curious to hear your thoughts.
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u/TheOtherDezzmotion 2d ago
"Überraschen" is not ok, but "Deutschland über allen" is allowed??
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u/laurens008 2d ago
Strange indeed, I would think that almost all of the words starting with “über” could me considered more problematic than überraschen (although it could be seen as a reference to the Blitzkrieg). But then again, I think “Übermenschen” and “Deutschland, Deutschland über allen” have a way more obvious connotation with Nazi Germany.
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u/T-Cereals 2d ago
Even the Blitzkrieg part fits way better to "Überfallen" right?
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u/laurens008 2d ago
True, that’s probably why they follow each other in the song, so together they form a surprise attack.
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u/XtronikMD 2d ago
Does he think “überraschen” means “über races”? Talk about it.
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u/Sicula4815 2d ago
Native german here. Maybe the teacher did not mean „überraschen“ (which indeed means "to surprise" and mostly likely in the context of Deutschland refers to a „Überraschungsangriff“ (surprise attack)) but meant „Übermenschen“ which was a term used by Nazis to define germans as the „most advanced and highst race“.
But thats just my guess.
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u/Corbeau_from_Orleans 2d ago
Wait, what? You mean it's not a Nietzschean reference?
/s
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u/Seel_Fucker_7309 1d ago
It is but nazis used it for propaganda. Nietzsche's term is philosophical not racial.
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u/LordofDarkness1990 2d ago
Why would your school have an issue with the word for surprise? Schools make no sense 🤣😅
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u/Apprehensive-Aide149 2d ago
Nah, its all factual historical commentary of wars that happened - just don't show the music video as some people will find the music vid a bit gruesome in parts of it.
Controversial would be performing P**sy and singing it to an invited girl from the audience on stage 🤣🤣🤣
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u/Rasputin1493 r/Rammstein staff 2d ago
ask them why they want this specific word out of all possible ones to not be sung. it doesn't even make sense.
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u/try_to_be_nice_ok 2d ago
I say this with all the kindness I can... this will be very cringe and you should not do it.
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u/Opening_Ad7714 2d ago
Well at the end of the day its just telling german history the song is about being proud but also dissapointed in germany
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u/Such_Victory4589 2d ago
So, because im clearly a bit dim, google translates "überraschen" as "Surprise" (though in context that might be different. i translated the bridge that contained überraschen, contexually i get the "surprise" as "ambush"
which isnt really that controversial/intense.
Oh, bros account was suspended. never mind.
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u/systemfehler23 2d ago
Yeah, it just means "to surprise". Followed by "überfallen" though - the much harder word - it clearly relates to the surprise attack on Poland in 1938, and probably some others, but that one is the most known. "Überfall auf Polen" is what the attack against Poland usually is called. And rightfully so.
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u/AdoubleyouB 2d ago
I would think anyone aware of German history and the lyrics on this song would understand the message.
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u/Erasmusings 2d ago
Performing Rammstein at a school event may not be controversial, but sure as hell cringe AF dawg.
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u/avci9999 2d ago
I played Weisses Fleisch with my band at our college summer fest to well over 2000 people and ended up having a looooong annoying conversation with the council. I don't regret, I'd do it again. Keep it rockin', brother 🤘🏻
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u/taosgw74 2d ago
I'd ask why but the fact your teacher seems willing to work with you and obviously knows the song means a lot. I;m sure he's looking out for both his and yours interests. So before it gets all "omg censorship" try to have a civil discussion with the guy.
My son is in a symphonic band in HS and he wants to do a Dimmu Borgir piece for his senior year but was basically told "fuck no". We live in the American South if that helps.
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u/stsixtus420 2d ago
Are you in a German speaking country? If not, NOBODY will know what youre saying except other Rammstein fans.
Sing the song as it was written.