Learning Dutch via Music

Remembering back to when I first began learning Dutch, it was suggested to me to listen to some Dutch music. Now, I have to admit it was awfully confusing to listen to a Dutch song and not really understand a word or when each word began or ended! But —eventually— it did help! It was indeed another great way to help me learn Dutch.

This particular song above that I'm sharing today is “Over de Muur” by Klein Orkest. This Dutch song from 1984 might sound a bit somber to those who don't yet understand it, but it sounds serious because it's about former-East and West Berlin and the influences once found on each side [East = Socialism; West = Western Culture]. The point of this song is that the birds there could fly from East to West Berlin, never not called back or shot at, pointing out how one city is separated down the middle by the Berlin Wall and how the birds were not affected by this military influence. Built in 1961, the Berlin Wall came down in 1989, but this song is an excellent resource for those who like to use a bit of history and/or something to relate to while learning Dutch. I also can imagine this song would be used in schools to teach Dutch children about that part of 20th century history.

When I first finally understood this song, it was amazing! To understand a song in another language for the first time... It's something I strongly suggest you try to do when learning a new language too.

The video added here has the tekst [English: lyrics] for the song in Nederlands [English: Dutch], but I have included here as well the lyrics translated to English [with my best translation], in hopes that it might help out those who are beginning to learn Dutch.

“Over the Wall”

East Berlin `Unter den Linden´
There are people walking past flags and banners
Where Lenin and Marx are still standing on a pedestal

And everyone works, hammers and sickles
In the meantime, in a parade-step, the guard is being changed
40 years of Socialism, there is a lot achieved in that time

But what is a perfect state
If there are walls surrounding it?
If you must be scared and careful with your opinion?
Oh, well what is that perfect state, tell me what is it worth,
When someone who differs is declared crazy?

And only the birds fly from East to West Berlin,
They're not called back and not shot at
Over the Wall
Over the Iron Curtain
Because sometimes they want to be in the West,
Sometimes they also want to be in the East
Because sometimes they want to be in the West,
Sometimes they also want to be in the East

West Berlin `The Kurfürstendamm´
There people are walking past porn and peepshows
Where Mercedes and Cola are still standing on a pedestal

And the neon advertisements are flashing and luring:
`Come dancing! Come eating! Come drinking! Come gambling!´
That's now 40 years of freedom, there is a lot achieved in that time

But now what is that freedom without a home, without a job
So many Turkish people in Kreuzberg who can barely survive
Good! You can demonstrate, but with your back to the Wall
And if you have money, then the freedom is not expensive

And the birds fly from West to East Berlin,
They're not called back and not shot at
Over the Wall
Over the Iron Curtain
Because sometimes they want to be in the East,
Sometimes they also want to be in the West
Because sometimes there is bread on the ground near the Gedächtniskirche,
Sometimes on Alexanderplatz

[Note to readers: My translations might not be 100% correct. If you feel a lyric needs tweaking, please leave me a comment and I will fix the lyric — It will be very helpful to those who are learning Dutch!]

To learn more about the history of the Berlin Wall, click here.