The meaning of the lyrics of the song "And the Führer screamed, pale as the factory." (I fyurer krichal, ot zavoda bledneya) the performer of the song "Vladimir Vysotsky"

And the Fuhrer screamed, pale with factory grime,

Pounding his own chest in time,

That if these Jews did not exist,

He would have invented them, he'd insist.

But now it's the Jews from our very own land,

Launching rockets, taking a stand.

And the ghettos? Remember the plight?

During and after the war, day and night?

И фюрер кричал, от завода бледнея,

Стуча по своим телесам,

Что если бы не было этих евреев,

То он бы их выдумал сам.Но вот запускают ракеты

Евреи из нашей страны.

А гетто? Вы помните гетто

Во время и после войны?

In his poem "And the Fuhrer screamed, turning pale at the factory," Vladimir Vysotsky utilizes sarcasm and bitter irony to expose the absurdity of Nazi ideology and anti-Semitism.

The opening line, "And the Fuhrer screamed, turning pale at the factory," immediately presents a grotesque image. The Fuhrer, a symbol of power and authority in Nazi Germany, is depicted as pale and screaming, a stark contrast to the image of industrial might ("the factory"). This could suggest a fear and helplessness in the face of intellectual and scientific superiority, which the Nazis attributed to Jews but couldn't accept.

The line "Pounding his own flesh" strengthens the image of inadequacy and madness. Deprived of rational arguments, the Fuhrer resorts to primitive actions, emphasizing the absurdity of his statement: "If there were no Jews, he would have invented them himself."

This line is crucial for understanding the poem's meaning. Vysotsky mocks the very essence of anti-Semitism, showing that Jews were not the cause but a convenient excuse for Nazi aggression. Jews were "invented" as enemies to unite the nation based on hatred and fear.

The second part of the poem sharply contrasts with the first. "But now the Jews from our country are launching rockets" is a direct refutation of Nazi propaganda. Vysotsky reminds us of the contribution of Jews to science and technology, their role in the achievements of the USSR.

The question "And the ghetto? Do you remember the ghetto during and after the war?" is no longer addressed to the abstract "Fuhrer" but to the reader. It is a call to remember the victims of the Holocaust, the real consequences of anti-Semitism.

Vysotsky's poem is not only a condemnation of Nazism but also a warning about how easily people can be manipulated through propaganda and hatred. It remains relevant today, reminding us of the importance of tolerance and fighting against all forms of discrimination.