Die Lösung (The Solution)
Nach dem Aufstand des 17. Juni
Ließ der Sekretär des Schriftstellerverbands
In der Stalinallee Flugblätter verteilen
Auf denen zu lesen war, daß das Volk
Das Vertrauen der Regierung verscherzt habe
Und es nur durch verdoppelte Arbeit
zurückerobern könne. Wäre es da
Nicht doch einfacher, die Regierung
Löste das Volk auf und
Wählte ein anderes?
(After the uprising of the 17th of June
The Secretary of the Writers’ Union
Had leaflets distributed in the Stalinallee
Stating that the people
Had forfeited the confidence of the government
And could win it back only
By redoubled efforts. Would it not be easier
In that case for the government
To dissolve the people
And elect another?)
Mr. Stephens has probably heard or at least heard of this poem by Bertolt Brecht. I’m not entirely sure he’s aware that when Brecht wrote that about the East German government of the time, it wasn’t intended as a compliment.
bttt
“Bertolt Brecht”
Obscure...but pretty interesting. Really interesting is The Doors “Whiskey Bar” song is actually from one of his plays, “Little Mahagonny”. I have actually heard the song as performed in the play. Absolutely wild.