Sag' Bescheid, wenn du mich liebst
Let me know if you love me – "Delmenhorst" by Element of Crime
After last week’s love song, we’re following up with what is essentially a breakup song – or at least a song about moving on. “Delmenhorst” by German rock band Element of Crime describes a protagonist finding themselves in a new place, both figuratively and literally, after a relationship has ended.
Delmenhorst, the song’s location and namesake, is a small town located outside of Bremen in northwest Germany. The song mentions a few of the town’s (apparently limited) landmarks, most notably a drinks store called “Getränke Hoffmann” and a ditch which is “weder breit noch tief” (“neither wide nor deep”).
Despite the song’s somewhat wistful tone, “Delmenhorst” is surprisingly light-hearted and hopeful – a reminder that endings often lead to new beginnings. The addition of brass instruments in the original recording is also a nice touch!
Ich bin jetzt immer da, wo du nicht bist
I’m now always there, where you are not
Und das ist immer Delmenhorst
And that is always Delmenhorst
Es ist schön, wenn’s nicht mehr weh tut
It’s nice, when it no longer hurts
Und wo zu sein, wo du nie warst
And to be where you never were
Hinter Huchting ist ein Graben
Behind Huchting is a ditch
Der ist weder breit noch tief
Which is neither wide nor deep
Und dann kommt gleich “Getränke Hoffmann”
And then right after comes “Getränke Hoffmann”
Sag’ Bescheid, wenn du mich liebst
Let me know if you love me
“Sag’ Bescheid” or “Sag’ mir Bescheid” is a common phrase used in all sorts of daily interactions in German which essentially means “Let me know.”
I first heard this phrase after living in Germany, and was a little confused by it at first, as it doesn’t easily translate directly to English – more literal translations would be “give me notice” or “tell me information.”
Variations of the phrase are often heard in everyday German conversations:
Sag’ mir Bescheid.
Let me know. (informal)Sagen Sie mir bitte Bescheid.
Please let me know. (formal)Gib mir Bescheid.
Let me know. (informal)Ich sage ihm Bescheid.
I will let him know.Danke fürs Bescheidgeben.
Thank you for letting me know.
Since becoming familiar with this phrase, I had always assumed the verbs sagen (to say) and geben (to give) could be used more or less interchangeably for the same effect. However, a little internet research seems to suggest that “Bescheid sagen” is always connected to verbal confirmation, while “Bescheid geben” can be used with all forms of “letting someone know” something – through verbal, written, or other forms of communication. Jetzt weiß ich Bescheid! (Now I know!)
Here are a few additional words from “Delmenhorst” to add to your vocabulary list:
jetzt – now
immer – always
da – there
wo – where
schön – beautiful / nice
wehtun – to hurt
hinter – behind
der Graben – the ditch
weder…noch – neither…nor
breit – wide
tief – deep
gleich – immediately (in this context)
Bescheid sagen – to let someone know
lieben – to love
endlich – finally
erzählen – to tell
das Leben – the life
der Spaß – the fun