Der Schrei Des Löwen

Udo Jürgens' song "Der Schrei Des Löwen" paints a vivid picture of the African savanna, juxtaposing the natural beauty and majesty of the landscape with the encroaching threats of modern civilization. The lyrics open with imagery of the savanna, where the hot wind dances ecstatically, yet ominously, on the blades of bulldozers, symbolizing the relentless advance of industrialization. This sets the stage for a narrative that explores the tension between nature and human progress, highlighting the destructive impact of human activities on the environment.

The song references the Kilimanjaro and the desert in a feverish sleep, evoking a sense of timelessness and the ancient connection between the land and its inhabitants. The mention of a medicine man calling upon his god, whom he hasn't encountered in a long time, suggests a loss of spiritual connection and a plea for intervention in the face of environmental degradation. The lion's roar, heard from afar, symbolizes the cry of nature itself, awakening at dusk, uncertain of its future and struggling to protect its domain from human encroachment.

Jürgens uses powerful metaphors to convey the urgency of the situation, with "trails of oil from Paris to Dakar" and "black scars on water and land" illustrating the widespread environmental damage. The lion, as the king of the savanna, represents the natural world, bewildered and vulnerable, unable to shield its queen—nature—from the threats posed by humanity. The song serves as a poignant reminder of the need for environmental preservation and the consequences of neglecting our responsibility to protect the planet.