We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Du Må Ikke T​å​le

from Rebel by Natalie Kendel

/

about

The lyrics to this song is inspired by two separate poems.

Firstly, it is inspired by "First they came ..." - a poetic form of a 1946 post-war confessional prose by a German Lutheran pastor called Martin Niemöller (1892–1984). It tackles the silence of German intellectuals and certain clergy following the Nazis' rise to power and subsequent incremental purging of their chosen targets, group after group. The words are now on display in the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C.

Secondly, the chorus quotes a Norwegian poem by Arnulf Øverland. "Du må ikke sove" - in English, "You must not sleep".
The poem is a warning against indifference, and is specifically a response to the rise of Nazism and fascism in Europe in the 1930s and 40s.

lyrics

First they came for the disabled
but I’m not disabled
so I did not speak out

Then they came for socialists
but I am not political
so I did not speak out

Du må ikke tåle
så inderling vel
den urett som ikke
rammer deg selv

Then they came for women
but that’s just a woman’s issue
so I did not speak out

Then they came for Muslims
but that is not my religion
and i did not speak out

Du må ikke tåle
så inderling vel
den urett som ikke
rammer deg selv

They’ve come for those with darker skin
but I'm untouched and privileged
so I did not speak out

Now they come for me
but there’s no one left standing -
nobody to speak out

Du må ikke tåle
så inderling vel
den urett som ikke
rammer deg selv

(Translation of Norwegian chorus:)

You must not tolerate
so terribly well
the injustice which doesn't
affect yourself

credits

from Rebel, released June 1, 2023

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Natalie Kendel image

Natalie Kendel England, UK

Theologian, Natalie Kendel, is a singer-songwriter, author, pastor, and theological lecturer.

Using an imaginative, narrative approach, Kendel aims to musically communicate the biblical narrative.

Kendel's music is influenced by folk, orchestral, neo-80s & various genre blends. With unique lyrics and theological depth, her music evokes a rallying listening experience. ... more

contact / help

Contact Natalie Kendel

Streaming and
Download help

Shipping and returns

Report this track or account

Natalie Kendel recommends:

If you like Natalie Kendel, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Featuring interviews with LA music scene pillar Kamasi Washington, and new London-based duo Mrcy.

listen now