FAWM: "Die unsichtbare Frau / The invisible woman"

Die unsichtbare Frau / The invisible woman

4 days ago by @mahtowin

There is no demo for this song.

Liner Notes

I started to become invisible 10 years ago when I turned 50. Suddenly, I was no longer interesting as a potential partner or mother! I felt very clearly that there's hardly any place in society for women past menopause, except as grandmothers or caregivers.

I was out of the game! I know it's a consequence of patriarchy—I don't take it personally! But sometimes it hurts, and it's also stupid, because we older ladies have so much to say and so many good ideas. But, who cares!

In a world where you, as a woman, are still judged solely on your potential value to a man, unfortunately, this is to be expected.

And so, this text is also a text about the "male gaze"!

I've tried to sing about it, but so far I haven't succeeded, so I'm releasing it! So, if any lady feels addressed by this: go for it! You can adapt the English lyrics as long as you don't change the content!

#male_gaze #patriarchy

Lyrics

Die unsichtbare Frau

Sie sitzt im Café. Schaut aus dem Fenster. Ihre Hände halten sich an einer warmen Tasse Tee. Ihr Gesicht zeigt Spuren der gelebten Jahre. Ihr Körper ist eine Reise durch die Zeit.

Der Rücken gerade, den Kopf erhoben, schweift ihr Blick über die, die Draußen gehen. Niemand schaut zurück. Niemand scheint sie zu sehen.

Stolz ist sie und weise - ihr Haar ist grau. Sie ist die Unsichtbare, die unsichtbare Frau!

Ihr Blick geht weit zurück in die Vergangenheit. Nach Vorne ist nur noch ein kleines Stück. Niemals mehr wird sie sich benutzen lassen! Nie wieder lieben lassen, wegen ihrem Wert!

Den Rücken gerade kann sie die ziehen lassen, um deren Anerkennung sie sich nicht mehr schert!

Ihr Herz bleibt offen. Ihre Hände auch! So geht ihr Blick zu denen, die Draußen gehen. Keiner schaut zurück - niemand scheint sie zu sehen.

Stolz ist sie und weise. Ihr Haar ist grau. Dort sitzt die Unsichtbare, die unsichtbare Frau!

The Invisible Woman

She sits in the café. Looks out the window. Her hands hold a warm cup of tea.

Her face shows the marks of the years lived. Her body is a journey through time.

Back straight, head held high, her gaze sweeps over those walking outside. No one looks back. No one seems to see her.

Proud she is and wise - her hair is gray. She is the Invisible One, the invisible woman!

Her gaze goes far back into the past. There is only a small step forward. Never again will she allow herself to be used! Never again will she allow herself to be loved, because of her worth!

Back straight, she can let go of those whose approval she no longer cares about!

Her heart remains open. Her hands too! Thus her gaze goes to those walking outside. No one looks back— no one seems to see her.

She is proud and wise. Her hair is gray. There sits the invisible one, the invisible woman!

Comments

@owling 3d

I can't read German but i love the English lyrics. I haven't reach 50 yet but I totally agree with you that our perceived value depends on how men consider us. Being invisible can be a curse and a superpower. Here, I can imagine the woman in your song winking at a young girl who notices her in the street

@nadine 3d

Leider steckt viel Wahrheit in dem Text. Man sehe sich nur die Besetzung von Filmen an, oder wie ungern Frauen ab 50 eingestellt werden. Du hast gut ausgedrückt, wie viel Wert, Weisheit und Mut diese Frau hat.

@mahtowin 3d

Danke! 🙏😊 Meine Realität.

@nadine 3d

Ohje. Ich bin auf eine andere Art unsichtbar. Mitte 30, aber passe in kein Profil, weder mit Beruf noch Hobbies. Nur blöde Erwartungen, die ich nicht einhalte xD

@mahtowin 3d

Das mit den Erwartungen kenne ich gut!

@greenfleamusic_55 3d

Where are we and how did we get there? Trust just for a moment when I say it’s not just women.. I’ve been with my wife since we were 17 . I do tend to worship her. She gets annoyed but she loves it too. This does not lessen your beautiful words at all Bear. Still a thousand truths to sing about here. My daughter is in her 30s still single. It worries me. She is very picky in people she allows in. That thins the field greatly. But she is keeping safe if not vulnerable as the years progress. You are a unique and talented person.. 😊🙏🏼

@mahtowin 3d

Thank you so much for your kind words! 🙏😊

@freshspotlessyouth 4d

Many women I know have expressed this sentiment, though not in such a poetic manner. I love the tiny portraits you paint in each verse. The shift in tone is great when you use the words "back straight." We get a sense of self-possession and defiance

@mahtowin 4d

Thanks! Yes, defiance and anger!

@ttg105 4d

Really well crafted and poetic! I can really visualize the scene. And this is a memorable refrain: "She is proud and wise. Her hair is gray. There sits the invisible one, the invisible woman." By the way, I just watched a series on Prime called Riot Women that addresses the same exact feelings. They get their frustration out by forming a rock band!