This one suits the question better: it's about a 99-year war (neun-und-neunzig jahre krieg) that leaves the world lying in ruins (seh' die Welt in trummern liegen).
About a 99-year war? I don't think so. (Perhaps you German is a little rusty?) By the way, if that were to really happen it might take 99-hours, if it even took that long once the "trigger" is pulled.
It's about what would happen if the NORAD (or other) air defense computer systems ran on Microsoft Windows (oooops) . . . The protagonist and a companion, from a nearby (military) base, buys 99 red balloons from a toy shop and releases them into the air. They're "detected" and apparently mis-identified as incoming (nuclear) armament by air defense control. The nuclear trigger is pulled and suddenly it's all over for civilization. Here's a club mix, in English, complete with the lyrics.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEl7Q6E_0F0
Mmmmm. Good times.
This post was edited by Salt and Red Pepper at October 14, 2017 9:15 PM MDT
"Neun-und-neunzig jahre krieg Liessen keinen Platz für Zieger Kriegsminister gibt's nicht mehr Und auch keine Dusenflieger Heute zieh' ich meine runden Seh' die Welt in trummern liegen Hab 'nen Luftballon gefunden Denk' an dich und lass ihn fliegen"
99 years of War Leaves no room for a victor War ministers are no more And no jet fighters Today I make my rounds See the world lying in ruins Have found a balloon Think of you and let it fly
My German is just fine, thanks. Of course a nuclear war wouldn't last 99 years, more like an hour and a half - but Nena didn't sing it that way, not in the original Deutsch they didn't. 99 Red Balloons is NOT a translation, it's a completely different song with the same melody. As different as "Sweet Little Sixteen" and "Surfin' USA", almost.
This post was edited by Slartibartfast at October 15, 2017 4:29 PM MDT
Yeah, two different songs, except they both are by the same artist, and they're both talking about those balloons . . . oh, please. All all Aussies like you? I ask because about 20-years ago I was working with a tower rigging crew in our 50th State that happened to have an Aussie member. He was always spreading organic fertilizer, particularly talking about his ability to convert lesbians. The other members of the crew were sick of it and I got sick of it. So one day while he was bragging I just asked him if he realized that his "conversion" work on that front was in the "to" direction. The crew applauded and we heard no more about lesbian conversion. You remind me of him for some reason.
No, it's the same song. Your German sucks (and mine isn't much better, but is much closer than yours).
Apparently it's about detecting UFO's on the horizon and scrambling a fighter squadron to intercept. Nuclear (or some other superpower weapons) hi-jinks ensues. NOTHING about a 99-year long war. This WEB page has a direct translation by someone that's actually fluent in both languages . . .
https://www.thoughtco.com/nenas-99-luftballons-song-4076776
This post was edited by Salt and Red Pepper at October 14, 2017 10:12 PM MDT
"Neun-und-neunzig jahre krieg" (the first line of the final verse) literally equals 99 year war, no other translation is possible. Neun-und-neunzig = ninety-nine Jahre = year Krieg = war
Anybody who says anything different is flatly lying.
This post was edited by Slartibartfast at October 15, 2017 4:35 PM MDT
Now wait a minute. I know that I saw him in Blazing Saddles long after Dr. Strangelove. Actually it was the character that he played that was vaporized, Major "King" Kong.
Bu if ole Slim is gone I guess we can't hold that nuclear war after all.
Don Barzini 