Listen to “Through the Storm”.
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Lena
Liri — “In Spite Of, Not Because Of”
Original poem.
Через жизнь стремглав, за милей милю
Русло горной нас несет реки.
Выгребаем, как кого учили:
Не благодаря, но вопреки.
По одним уж отслужили тризну,
А иным я не подам руки —
Тем, кто шел по головам и жизням,
Не благодаря. Но вопреки.
Малых дел, в пути вершимых нами,
Расходились по воде круги.
Кто-то и по жизни шел кругами —
Не благодаря, но вопреки.
И совсем немногие сумели
Сердцем жить, на мир вокруг смотря.
Им достались все шторма и мели,
Но они — из тех, кто в самом деле
Жил. Не вопреки. Благодаря.
Lena Liri
Lyrics of “Through the Storm”.
German adaptation (lyrics).
Durchs leben, kopfüber, meile um meile,
Trägt uns des stromes wildes hotel
Wir rudern, wie wir es gelernt haben, beileibe,
Nicht dank, sondern trotz allem, ganz schnell
Nicht dank, sondern trotz allem!
Durch widerstand, die faust geballt!
Nicht dank, sondern trotz allem!
Im tiefsten dunkel, steht man halt!
Wir schreien es laut,
In den sturmgepeitschten schlund!
Nicht dank, sondern trotz allem!
Für manche wurde schon das totenmahl gehalten,
Dem nächsten reicht die hand ich nicht mehr –
Denen, die über köpfe und seelen schalteten,
Nicht dank, sondern trotz allem, so schwer
Nicht dank, sondern trotz allem!
Durch widerstand, die faust geballt!
Nicht dank, sondern trotz allem!
Im tiefsten dunkel, steht man halt!
Wir schreien es laut,
In den sturmgepeitschten schlund!
Nicht dank, sondern trotz allem!
Es sind die kleinen taten, die wir einst vollbrachten,
Die sich ausbreiten, wie wellen im meer
Manch einer irrte im kreis, die wege verlachten,
Nicht dank, sondern trotz allem, das fällt nicht schwer
Nicht dank, sondern trotz allem!
Durch widerstand, die faust geballt!
Nicht dank, sondern trotz allem!
Im tiefsten dunkel, steht man halt!
Wir schreien es laut,
In den sturmgepeitschten schlund!
Nicht dank, sondern trotz allem!
Nur wenige nur waren fähig, verstehe,
Mit offenem herzen die welt zu seh’n
Sie trugen stürme und erlebten die höhle,
Doch sie sind’s, die wahrhaftig lebten
Trotz allem
Nicht dank, sondern trotz allem!
Translation from German.
Through life, head over heels, mile after mile,
The wild current of the river carries us.
We row as we have learned, certainly,
In spite of everything, not because of it—fast.
In spite of everything, not because of it!
Through resistance, fist clenched!
In spite of everything, not because of it!
In the deepest darkness, we still stand!
We scream it loud,
Into the storm-lashed abyss!
In spite of everything, not because of it!
For some, the funeral feast has already been held,
I no longer extend my hand to the next—
To those who ruled over heads and souls,
In spite of everything, not because of it, so hard.
In spite of everything, not because of it!
Through resistance, fist clenched!
In spite of everything, not because of it!
In the deepest darkness, we still stand!
We scream it loud,
Into the storm-lashed abyss!
In spite of everything, not because of it!
It is the small acts we once performed,
That spread like waves across the sea.
Many wandered in circles, mocked the paths,
In spite of everything, not because of it—it doesn’t weigh heavy.
In spite of everything, not because of it!
Through resistance, fist clenched!
In spite of everything, not because of it!
In the deepest darkness, we still stand!
We scream it loud,
Into the storm-lashed abyss!
In spite of everything, not because of it!
Only a few, understand me, were capable
Of seeing the world with an open heart.
They endured storms and witnessed the cave,
Yet they are the ones who truly lived.
In spite of everything.
In spite of everything, not because of it!
Notes and interpretation.
Durchs Leben, kopfüber “Through life, head over heels” Reckless, uncontrolled movement through existence. Suggests being swept away by circumstances rather than making deliberate choices.
Des Stromes wildes Hotel “The wild current’s wild hotel” A paradoxical image—the river itself becomes a place of shelter and movement. Nature as both danger and refuge.
Wir rudern, wie wir es gelernt haben “We row as we have learned” Despite chaos, we use our skills and knowledge. Represents resilience through experience and adaptation.
Nicht dank, sondern trotz allem “In Spite Of, Not Because Of” The core message of the song. Success and survival do not come from favorable conditions or blessing, but from defiance and determination against all odds—surviving and thriving despite everything that tries to destroy us.
Durch Widerstand, die Faust geballt “Through resistance, fist clenched” Active defiance. The clenched fist symbolizes determination, anger, and refusal to surrender.
Im tiefsten Dunkel, steht man halt “In the deepest darkness, we still stand” Even in despair and hopelessness, one remains upright and unbroken. Spiritual resilience.
In den sturmgepeitschten Schlund “Into the storm-lashed abyss” The violent, chaotic void. Screaming into this represents making your voice heard against overwhelming darkness.
Für manche wurde schon das Totenmahl gehalten “For some, the funeral feast has already been held” Some are already considered dead—written off by society, fate, or circumstance. Yet they still persist.
Denen, die über Köpfe und Seelen schalteten “To those who ruled over heads and souls” Those in power who controlled and manipulated others. References authority, oppression, and tyranny.
Es sind die kleinen Taten, die wir einst vollbrachten “It is the small acts we once performed” Small acts of kindness, resistance, or defiance have greater impact than expected. Ripple effect of human action.
Die sich ausbreiten, wie Wellen im Meer “That spread like waves across the sea” The consequences and influence of our actions ripple outward, affecting more than we realize.
Manch einer irrte im Kreis “Many wandered in circles” Some people are trapped in repetition, unable to break free from their circumstances or mistakes.
Mit offenem Herzen die Welt zu seh’n “Seeing the world with an open heart” Approaching life with vulnerability, empathy, and genuine perception rather than cynicism or fear.
Sie trugen Stürme und erlebten die Höhle “They endured storms and witnessed the cave” References suffering, darkness, and hardship—both metaphorical and literal struggles.
Doch sie sind’s, die wahrhaftig lebten “Yet they are the ones who truly lived” Those who suffered and persevered truly understood life’s meaning. Authenticity comes through struggle.
Trotz allem “In spite of everything” The ultimate message: existence and meaning are found not in comfort or blessing, but in defiance and persistence against all adversity.
Read Part VI: Valkyrie (Apotheosis). Stardust — the story of the album “Inspirïert von Lena Liri” vol.2. Valkyrie.