Fehler machen Leute [English translation]

I have never asked myself

What truth tells me

I have never trusted myself

I have often blamed myself

And have cheated myself 1

Haven't figured myself out until today

How many times already

Was longing the end of the road?

Everyone makes mistakes for themselves

If you think that I'm perfect

Am completely pure and unstretched

Then I'll tell you today

Mistakes make people (who they are) 2

Come on, keep telling them

I've failed a thousand times

Because I shied away from the truth for too long

Mistakes make people (who they are)

I have never complained

About what was wrong with me

I can not guarantee myself

What is even more real to me

It wasn't all bad

Those who can't take risks, only can lose

How many times already

Was longing the end of the road?

Everyone makes their mistakes alone

Mistakes make people (who they are)

Many mistakes make people (who they are)

Mistakes make people (who they are)

We make many mistakes

Mistakes make people (who they are)

Many mistakes make people (who they are)

But do not worry

Because most of us do (make mistakes)

And today I am somewhat further

That doesn't make me much more clever

Because I shied away from the truth for too long

1. "Hinters Licht führen" is a German expression that literally means "to lead behind the light" but metaphorically means "to cheat someone".2. Fehler Machen Leute is a play on words based on Kleider Machen Leute (Clothes Make People (who they are)) by Gottfried Keller...a story of a tailor who fashioned clothing and dressed himself much nicer than the typical attire. Once he visited another town, he managed to marry a princess because the clothing he'd worn gave him the impression of being very rich and classy. Hence the name of the novella.