100 years of De Waterwolf

The Song of the Water Wolf

Composer and pianist Reinout Douma wrote Laid van De Wotterwolf together with Groningen-based singer Marlene Bakker. It is loosely inspired by the 1964 poem by Mr J.M. Gaaikema, former chairman of the Electra Water Authority. A song about this icon on the Reitdiep, which has been devouring water in the Groningen countryside for a hundred years. Ensuring that the hinterland keeps its feet dry. And it still does...

'I know the song of water It has flowed through me for years'

‘t Laid van De Wotterwolf - (text: The Song of the Water Wolf)

I know the song of water
It has flowed through me for years
It quenches my thirst forever
Its all-consuming existence is no stranger to me

In this underwater world
there is no existence of wisdom
I fill my lungs
the water knows the way by itself

And so within us together
And so we glide through time
And so we dance with each other
And so it is never a struggle again
Within us together

Around me, wide fields
Where the wild wind still sings
Expansive skies, fertile clay
Where the water meanders gratefully

And so within us together
And so we glide through time
And so we dance with each other
And so there is never again a struggle
Within us together

The Song of the Water Wolf

I know the language of water
It has been flowing through me for years
It quenches my thirst forever
Its all-consuming existence is no stranger to me

In this underwater world
Where no one knew it existed
I fill my lungs
The water knows the way (as if by itself)

And so we are together
And so we glide through time
And so we dance with each other
And so it is never a struggle again

Are we equal
Around me, wide fields
Where the wild wind still sings
Distant skies, fertile clay
Where the water can meander gratefully.