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Eurovision 1980 Germany:
Katja Ebstein - "Theater"

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Videos

Eurovision 1980
Ein Lied für Den Haag
Audio
Audio (English version: "It's Showtime")
Live at "Fernsehgarten" in 2025
Live at "ZDF Disco" 1980

Lyrics

German
 

Theater

Sie setzen jeden Abend eine Maske auf
Und sie spielen wie die Rolle es verlangt
An das Theater haben sie ihr Herz verkauft
Sie stehn oben und die unten schaun sie an
Sie sind König, Bettler, Clown im Rampenlicht
Doch wie's tief in ihnen aussieht, sieht man nicht

Theater, Theater, der Vorhang geht auf
Dann wird die Bühne zur Welt
Theater, Theater, das ist wie ein Rausch
Und nur der Augenblick zählt

Wie ein brennendes Fieber, wie ein Stück Glückseligkeit
Ein längst vergessner Traum erwacht zum Leben
Theater, Theater, gehasst und geliebt
Himmel und Hölle zugleich

Und der Clown, der muss lachen, auch wenn ihm zum Weinen ist
Und das Publikum sieht nicht, dass eine Träne fliesst
Und der Held, der muss stark sein und kämpfen für das Recht
Doch oft ist ihm vor Lampenfieber schlecht

Alles ist nur Theater und ist doch auch Wirklichkeit
Theater, das Tor zur Phantasie
Theater, Theater, nur der bleibt dir treu
Der dich vor Leidenschaft liebt

Theater, Theater
(Und der Clown, der muss lachen)
Ist Leben und Traum
(Auch wenn ihm zum Weinen ist)
Anfang und Ende zugleich
(Und das Publikum sieht nicht, dass eine Träne fliesst)

Theater, Theater
(Und der Held, der muss stark sein)
Ihr schenkt uns Applaus
(Und kämpfen für das Recht)
Wir geben alles für euch
(Doch oft ist ihm vor Lampenfieber schlecht)

Und lachen und weinen für euch
(Theater, Theater)
Ja, wir geben аlleѕ für euch

Theatre

They put a mask on every evening
And they play the role they have to play
They have sold their hearts to the theatre
They're standing up there and those below look at them
They're kings, beggars, clowns in the footlight
But how it looks deep inside them, you can't see

Theatre, theatre, the curtain opens
Then the stage becomes the world
Theatre, theatre, it's like an intoxication
And it's only the moment that counts

Like a burning fever, like a piece of happiness
A long forgotten dream comes back to life
Theatre, theatre, hated and loved
Heaven and hell at the same time

And the clown has to laugh, even if he wants to cry
And the audience doesn't see that a tear is rolling down
And the hero has to be strong, and fight for the right
But often he's got stage fright

Everything is just like theatre, but it's also reality
Theatre, the gateway to fantasy
Theatre, theatre, the only one who stays true
Who loves you with passion

Theatre, theatre
(And the clown has to laugh)
Is life and dream
(Even if he wants to cry)
Beginning and ending at the same time
(And the audience doesn't see that a tear is rolling down)

Theatre, theatre
(And the hero has to be strong)
You give us the applause
(And fight for the right)
We give everything for you
(But often he's got stage fright)

And laugh and cry for you
(Theatre, theаtre)
Yeѕ, we give everything for you

It's Showtime

They seem to wear a different mask each night they play
They're forever someone else with every part
They want to make it in the theatre all the way
And the people down there know it in their heart
They are beggars, kings or fools, they got it made
Maybe someday I'll be part of the parade

It's showtime, it's showtime
The curtain goes up
Everyone out there on stage
It's showtime, it's showtime
Let's reach for the top
Songbirds, get out of your cage

There's a center of attraction
As you're blinded by the lights
We know the crowds are after tears and laughter
It's showtime, it's showtime
What more can I tell?
Showtime is heaven and hell

And the funny man's laughin'
Though he's feeling down right low
But the audience won't know
They love that funny show
And the hero's a zero
Who's frightened of a mouse
But acts the hero and brings down the house

There is nothing like showtime
It will take you to the sky
No stagefright can ever hold you back
It's showtime in no time
You take off and fly
Knowing you're on the right track

It's showtime, it's go time
(And the funny man's laughing)
The dream has come true
(Though he's feeling down right low)
We own the world here on stage
(But the audience won't know)
(They love that funny show)

We're singing, we're dancing
(And the hero's a zero)
We're playing for you
(Who's frightened of a mouse)
Turning each night a new page
(But acts the hero and brings down the house)

It's showtime, it's showtime
Of course (It's showtime)
We're living just for your applаuѕe

Théâtre

Ils mettaient tous les soirs un masque sur leur main
Pour marcher sur le plancher des illusions
Ils ont donné leur cœur au dieu des baladins
Pour jouer devant la foule aux mille mains
Ils sont rois, mon dieu, ils sont n'importe qui
Sous les projecteurs ils vont changer de vie

Théâtre, théâtre
On ouvre un rideau
Et tout revit à nouveau
Théâtre, théâtre
On frappe trois coups
Et tout s'allume partout

C'est comme un rêve
Que tu as oublié
Qui va te reveiller quand tu te lèves
Théâtre, théâtre
Qui est le menteur
L'artiste ou les spectateurs?

Le comique doit rire
Alors qu'il voudrait pleurer
À la ville il veut mourir
Sur scène il doit chanter
Ce héros sans faiblesse
Ce superbe vainqueur
Joue sa première pièce
Il est mort de peur

Tout n'est que théâtre
Et dans la réalité
Théâtre – où est la vérité?
Théâtre, théâtre
On se prend pour nous
Mais c'est un rôle qu'on joue

Théâtre, théâtre
(Le comique doit rire)
Les jours de la vie
(Alors qu'il voudrait pleurer)
Ensemble à la comédie
(À la ville il veut mourir)
(Sur scène il doit chanter)

Théâtre, théâtre
(Ce héros sans faiblesse)
On ouvre un rideau
(Ce superbe vainqueur)
Et la vie revit à nouveau
(Joue sa première pièce)
(Il est mort de peur)

Sous le grand soleil deѕ tréteaux
(Théâtre)
Et le monde entier crie bravo
(Théâtre, théâtre, brаvo)

Teatro

Cambia ogni sera ma è una maschera
Stesso cuore con un'altra identità
Fare il teatro è una strana malattia
E nessuno ti può fare la regia

Strani, pazzi, mendicanti, e a volte re
Forse adesso c'è una parte anche per me

Teatro, teatro
E tocca anche a te
Prendi la parte che c'è
Teatro, teatro
L'applauso dirà
Chi ha vinto con più verità

E l'attrazione questa sera siamo noi
La gente vuole lacrime e risate
Teatro, teatro
È questo che dà
Il cielo, l'inferno a metà

Quando il comico ride
E magari non gli va
Ma se il pubblico non sa
Allora riderà
Il cattivo magari
È buono, ma però
Ti arrabbi quando in scena dice no

Questo vuol dire teatro
E tu mime te non c'è
Teatro, è tutto è fantasia
Teatro, teatro
Il mondo che è tuo
Sogno ma a volte realtà

Teatro, teatro
(Quando il comico ride)
Amore, pazzia
(E magari non gli va)
Un mondo che ti porta via
(Ma se il pubblico non sa)
(Allora riderà)

Teatro, teatro
(Il cattivo magari)
L'applauso dirà
(È buono, ma però)
Chi ha vinto con più verità
(Ti arrabbi quando in scena dice no)

Teatro, è ciò che ti da
(Teatro)
Teatro, vivendo ѕi fа

Germany 1980

Artist
Katja Ebstein
Title
Theater
Event
Eurovision Song Contest 1980 The Hague

ARTIST

BACKING

COMPOSER

  • Ralph Siegel (see Backing)

LYRICIST

CONDUCTOR

  • Wolfgang Rödelberger

SPOKESPERSON

COMMENTATOR

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