Aan de Amsterdamse grachten [SEP] language of work or name
Aan de Amsterdamse grachten
"Aan de Amsterdamse grachten" (; "At the Amsterdam canals") is a Dutch song by Pieter Goemans. It was written in 1949 but not recorded until 1956, and many times more since then. It is one of the standard songs celebrating the city of Amsterdam, and one of the best-known and most popular songs in the Netherlands.
Structure and content.
The song is a waltz, in 3/4 measure. Typical accompaniment is the accordion. The first verse recounts a
Willy Alberti's greatest hits. The Westertoren is referred to as "De parel van de Jordaan" ("The pearl of the Jordaan"), also the subject and title of Johnny Jordaan's first big hit—and he himself came to be called "Parel van de Jordaan". Poet and writer Willem Wilmink remarked that the Westertoren is revered as a stand-in for God.
See also.
- Aan de Amsterdamse grachten
- List of songs about Amsterdam