Liesbeth List (born Elisabeth Dorathea Driessen, 12 December 1941, Bandoeng… Read Full Bio ↴Liesbeth List (born Elisabeth Dorathea Driessen, 12 December 1941, Bandoeng, Dutch East Indies - died 25th March 2020, Soest, the Netherlands ) is a Dutch singer and chansonnier. She became popular during the 1960s and frequently colloborated with Ramses Shaffy. She also sang Jacques Brel's chansons in a Dutch translation.
She died March 25, 2020

Laten We Gaan Slapen
Liesbeth List Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Het lege glas glijdt zachtjes uit je hand
Het bed is onbeslapen en jij zit op de rand
In de spiegel van de kast zie ik een vermoeide man
Soms twijfelend op zoek, maar die zonder mij niet verder kan
Hoe kun je me troosten als je de uitweg zelf niet vindt
Je leeft je leven in het verleden, terwijl de toekomst nu begint

refren':

Kom, laten we gaan slapen
Totdat de pijn verdwijnt
Misschien dat morgenvroeg
De zon weer voor ons schijnt
Kom, laten we gaan slapen
Kruip zacht tegen me aan
Kom, laten we gaan slapen
Morgen zal het beter gaan

Je sigaret ligt losjes in je hand
Je bed blijft onbeslapen, jij leunt tegen de rand
In de spiegel in de hoek zie ik jouw betraand gezicht
Heel misschien dat jij me vergeeft, als ik stil naast je lig

refren'

Al zo vaak waren mijn woorden alleen tijdelijk bedoeld
Ik heb 't eigenlijk nooit geweten wat ik werkelijk voor je voel
Dus, zeg maar niks meer

Nee, 'k zeg maar niks meer
Laten we gaan slapen

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Liesbeth List's song, "Laten We Gaan Slapen," are about a man who is going through a difficult time and is having trouble finding a way out. He is tired and worn out, and sometimes he doubts himself and his ability to cope. However, even though he is struggling, he cannot move forward without the support and love of his partner. The singer offers comfort and reassurance to the man, recognizing that he is living in the past and needs to focus on the present and future.

In the first verse, the man is holding an empty glass and sitting on the edge of the bed. He is tired and looks at himself in the mirror, searching for answers. The singer understands that he is lost and doesn't know how to deal with his emotions, but she also realizes that she cannot help him unless he finds his own way. The chorus emphasizes the need for rest and renewal, urging the man to sleep and reminding him that tomorrow is a new day.

In the second verse, the man is holding a cigarette and leaning against the edge of the bed. He looks sad and tearful, and the singer is moved by his emotional pain. She offers to lie down next to him and provide comfort, hoping that their closeness will bring healing and forgiveness.

Overall, the lyrics of "Laten We Gaan Slapen" convey a sense of empathy and compassion for someone who is struggling. The singer recognizes the man's pain and offers him a way to find peace and rest, even if it is only temporarily. The chorus suggests that sleep and time can heal wounds and bring renewed hope.

Line by Line Meaning

Het lege glas glijdt zachtjes uit je hand
You are emotionally drained and unable to hold onto even a glass

Het bed is onbeslapen en jij zit op de rand
You are awake at night, feeling lost and disconnected

In de spiegel van de kast zie ik een vermoeide man
I can see how exhausted and defeated you are

Soms twijfelend op zoek, maar die zonder mij niet verder kan
You are searching for something, but you feel like you can't do it without me by your side

Hoe kun je me troosten als je de uitweg zelf niet vindt
You can't comfort me when you can't even find your own way out of your struggles

Je leeft je leven in het verleden, terwijl de toekomst nu begint
You are stuck in the past, and need to start focusing on the present and future

Kom, laten we gaan slapen
Let's try to rest and recharge

Totdat de pijn verdwijnt
Until our emotional pain subsides

Misschien dat morgenvroeg
Perhaps by tomorrow morning

De zon weer voor ons schijnt
Things will look brighter

Kruip zacht tegen me aan
Cuddle up close to me

Morgen zal het beter gaan
Tomorrow may be a better day

Je sigaret ligt losjes in je hand
You're holding onto your cigarette but not really smoking it

Je bed blijft onbeslapen, jij leunt tegen de rand
You're not sleeping, just sitting up and feeling lost

In de spiegel in de hoek zie ik jouw betraand gezicht
I see your tear-streaked face in the mirror

Heel misschien dat jij me vergeeft, als ik stil naast je lig
Perhaps you could forgive me if I simply lay silently beside you