Begründungen

This German Lieder for solo tenor sets a stark text that questions the justifications for war across generations of a family. Each verse recounts a different conflict and the narrative used to persuade the men of that era that military action was necessary. From the invasion of Poland to the Gulf of Tonkin, and from the supposed actions of Iraqis and Serbs to the present-day rhetoric, the song highlights a recurring pattern of propaganda. The singer reflects on how these narratives are passed down, creating a sense of inevitability and presenting 'the other' as inhuman, thereby justifying violence. The final lines suggest a continuation of this cycle, leaving the listener to ponder the true reasons behind the perpetual call to arms.