for those who don't understan: basicall it's about a voluntary soldier dubbed "170" he has a wife and family and promised he'd return the general sent him out to see if the "coast is clear" he begged not to go but was still sent the general kept asking "170 is the coast clear" but never got an answer I don't think i need to say why "170" never answered it's really depressing
This was the first song I ever learned to play on the banjo, one of the first songs I ever learned to play period even. That banjo part gives me chills every time, and the way it leads up into the guitar parts is just fantastic. One of my all time favorite songs easily, such an incredibly emotional tale.
Same here! It’s been one of my favorite songs for so damn long, but I just now realized I never saved it to any of my playlists. I still remember the lyrics so well
My girl told me the most touching thing today. At the moment I finished reading, I sat still for two seconds, and then 1:54 happened, and it just threw me into emotions. This song is beautiful, and it has great powers.
Dette nummer opløftede Kaizers koncert på Roskilde 2011 til et næsten religiøst niveau! Sangen er i sit udtryk, ikke blot rørende, men også meget smuk.
@Noutus The lyrics are depressing as hell but emotionally powerful. Google "kaizers orchestra English lyrics" (note: the translation is very clumsy, it sounds better in Norwegian).
@Noutus Actually there is quite a bit of humor to be found in their lyrics, even though it can be pretty dark. They are also connected in interesting ways.
kaizers.konzertjunkie.com/lyrics.php?lang=en&which=170 Lirycs in English: You know we'll get sufficient funding Now I enlist as a voluntary soldier When I go out I've become a father It was night and it became day and night again I wrote letter after letter but never got one back Half a year with shots and open wounds Half a year. God, time goes by so slowly Thank God for the medical corps 'Cause they sew together recruits and generals The day came and I waited for a signal And I got my last order from the highest in command, and he yelled 170 go out and see if it is clear No, general, spare me. It's easy for you to send in a voluntary soldier but who'll take care of my wife and my child? 170 is it clear, is it clear? 170 we're waiting for a response!
@eirikwegga Yea I know. Ive read through some of their lyrics, and most of them seem kinda depressing. Doesnt take away that the music is amazing though.
For translations of all the Kaizer's lyrics, visit kaizers.konzertjunkie and go to the lyrics page. They've got most, if not all, of Kaizer's songs with both Norwegian and English lyrics, so one can sing along and understand at the same time :)
It refers to the number of a soldier. The song is about a man who is about to become a father who volunteers as soldier to earn some money for his family. After half a year on his last day of service he is ordered to check if the coast is clear.
ShiftyMcGoggles Persumably the coast was not clear and the enemy got him, as he never answers to the increasingly urgent call of "170 er det klart, er det klart?(170 is it clear, is it clear?)" at the end
About a soldier sent off to war leaving his family behind. The soldier (170) is then sent out to check, if the coast is clear... "170, is the coast clear? We're waiting for a reply...."
