Lyrics The Willy: Nicky Telegrams - Einstürzende Neubauten

The Willy: Nicky Telegrams

I appeal to you to help me
An ignoble war has been declared
Very soon I shall be overwhelmed
Forced to take extreme measures
Such a calamity
European war
I beg you to do what you can
Stop your allies from going too far
Nicky
The spirit still dominates the country
That led them to murder their own king
Dastardly murder
Deserved punishmwent
In this case politics plays no part at all
Your very sincere and devoted friend and cousin
Willy
I cannot consider Austria’s action
An «ignoble» war
It would be quite possible for Russia to remain
A spectator of the conflict
Without involving Europe in the most horrible war
Military measures would jeopardize my position as mediator
Which I readily accepted on your appeal
To my friendship and my help
Willy
Thanks for your telegram conciliatory and friendly
The official message by your ambassador
Is in a very different tone
Beg you to explain this divergency!
It would be right to give the problem to the Hague-conference
Trust in your wisdom and friendship
Your loving Nicky
Military measures for reasons of defence
I hope that they won’t interfere with your part as mediator
We need your pressure on Austria to come to an understanding
Nicky
If Russia mobilises, my role as mediator
Is ruined
The weight of the decision lies on your
Shoulders now
Who have to bear the responsibility for
Peace or War
Willy
In my endeavours to maintain the peace
I have gone to the utmost limit
Responsibility for the disaster will not be
Laid at my door
The peace of Europe may be maintained
If Russia stops the military measures
My friendship for you and your empire has always been sacred to me
Willy
To stop our military preparations is technically impossible
No provocative actions
Negociations take place
I give you my solemn word for this.
We are
Far from wishing war
Your affectionate
Nicky
I wish to have the guarantee from you that
These measures do not mean war
We shall continue negociating for the benefit
Of our countries
Universal peace dear to our hearts
Our long proved friendship must succeed
In avoiding bloodshed
Nicky
I pointed out to you the way by which
War may be avoided
I requested an answer for noon today
No telegram has reached me yet
I therefore have to mobilise my army
Willy