Practice English Speaking&Listening with: Erich Kästner - Kennst du das Land wo die Kanonen blühn? 1967 (subt: English, Deutsch, Nederlands)

Do you know the country where the cannons bloom?

You don't know it? You will get to know it!

A boss stands there proud an bold

In his office, as if it was a militairy barrack.

That's where army buttons can be found under every tie.

And one wears helmets you can't see.

Indeed they have faces there, but no brains.

One goes to bed to neatly procreate.

When a superior wants something, in that country -

And it is his job to want something -

The intellect stands to attention and then goes idle.

Eyes to the right, stomach in, chest out!

The children there, come into the world with tiny spurs and straight partings.

Nobody is born there as a civilian.

And only those get promoted, who shut up.

Do you know that country? It could be fortunate.

It could be fortunate and make you fortunate.

There, you can find fields, coal, steel and stone

And diligence and power and many other nice affairs.

You can find there even mind and goodness, from time to time!

As well as true heroism. But not often.

There, in every second man a child resides,

That wants to play with toy soldiers.

There, freedom does not mature. There, it stays infantile.

Whatever they build there, it are always military barracks.

Do you know that country where the cannons bloom?

You don't know it?

You will get to know it!