KRYSTALLNACHT IS COMING
(Bob Franke)

I walked with Katya at the factory,
She always did her job OK, as far as I could see;
Lunchtime one day, she got nostalgic for her youth,
Growing up in wartime under a different truth.

She told me,
"When I was a girl, I loved a soldier in the SS,
They only picked the strongest ones, the healthiest, the best;
They weren't monsters, they were like your Green Berets;
We never wanted to kill Jews, we just wanted them away.
And you know we gave them lots of time until Kristallnacht sealed their fate;
We only wanted them to emigrate.

[instrumental break]

We'll give each Californian a plastic picture card,
If you don't have your papers, kid, well, life is hard;
The Pass Laws have arrived here in America at last,
You used to get a meal in school, but that's the past.

Just take your chances in the street, but do it out of sight,
We know you'll get along until your Crystal Night.
Your teacher has to turn you in, she doesn't really hate;
We only wanted you to emigrate.

Kristallnacht is coming, little Mexican child,
The night of breaking glass, the night of running wild;
Run sick and in the streets (?) until Kristallnacht seals your fate,
We only wanted you to emigrate.

Until we send the troopers in, we'll give you lots of time,
To get your life in order and forsake your little crimes;
You're better off in Mexico, although you grew up here,
And if your folks won't take you back, there's this to fear. (?)

Alone and in an alley, your Breaking Glass will come;
It won't get in the papers if we do it one by one.
It's all about the Bottom Line, it isn't really hate,
We only wanted you to emigrate.

Kristallnacht is coming, Salvadorian child,
The night of breaking glass, the night of running wild;
Run sick and in the streets (?) until Kristallnacht seals your fate,
We only wanted you to emigrate.

Kristallnacht is coming, Guatemalan child,
The night of breaking glass, the night of running wild;
Run sick and in the streets (?) until Kristallnacht seals your fate,
We only wanted you to emigrate.

We only wanted you to emigrate.


**"Run, sic him in the streets"???? I really don't know what this phrase is.

Transcribed by ear from the 1995 Bob Franke CD, The Heart of the Flower

Alternate spelling of title: Kristallnacht Is Coming

You'll notice there are some phrases with question marks. These are places where I'm not satisfied with my transcription. Anybody hear something different?


This is certainly a powerful song. I've had the CD for almost 15 years, but never paid attention to this cut.
-Joe-