The Dutch revolt against the new King's Song ('Koningslied') caught the eye of the international media preparing for the inauguration of King Willem-Alexander on April 30.
[Composer John Ewbank on Saturday evening announced he has withdrawn the much maligned King's Song]
Thousands of Dutch citizens rose up Friday in protest against an "imbecilic" official song produced to mark the enthronement of King Willem-Alexander later this month, the French news agency AFP reported.
The song, written by Dutch-British composer John Ewbank, is an unusual combination of traditional, rap and choir music. "This song spontaneously turns you into a republican, if you weren't already," was a typical reaction. The text especially came in for severe criticism.
Here is a liberal - Google Translate aided - translation of the Dutch Koningslied - Song for the King.
There you are
You saw this moment so many times in your dreams
And then there it is
The day that you knew was coming is finally here
Are you ready?
Can you ever really be?
There you are
Every man has a task in this life
Everything done to prepare for
There it is then
You promise that you will give everything
Every step you took that led here
And look around you
We walk with you
Through the rain and the wind
I will stand beside you
I'll protect you against anything that comes
I will watch as you sleep
I am saving you from the storm
Keep your safe as long as I live
A battle, two lives
We face each other, not to break
A flag, two lions
With each other in the sun and rain
Side by side, chest out
Proud as a peacock, this is our sound
And how small we are
Our achievements are
Go not avoid
For you, my child
For my dad, for my mom
Walk for you through the wind and rain
And will stand behind you
I carry a banner with your name
Believe in you as long as we exist
I'm building a dike with my bare hands
And keep the water away from you
Let me know what you dream
Where your heart longs
I will not rest until it has become true
And if you ever lose your way
I'll be your beacon in the night
I refer you to the harbor in the darkness
I will fight like a lion
To you for nothing lacking
Keep your safe as long as I live
The W of William
Three fingers in the air, come on, come on
The William W is the W we
Very Orange buffs head to
W of the water where we did not deviate
We explain the dry and build dikes
The W welcome in our midst
To which God you may pray
The W of William
The W of waking, eating stew
Millions of coaches who know better
The W always want to win
Whatever it is that we begin to
The W we are one with each other
With the shoulders next to each other
And so we call today
Through the rain and the wind
I will stand beside you
I'll protect you against anything that comes
I will watch as you sleep
I am saving you from the storm
Keep your safe as long as I live
Let me know what you dream
Where your heart longs
I will not rest until it has become true
And if you ever lose your way
I'll be your beacon in the night
Assign the port you in the darkness
I will fight like a lion
To you for nothing lacking
Keep your safe as long as I live
Read also: Dutch united in rejection of King's Song
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