Normaal plays blues rock, sometimes interrupted by cheesy ballads based on folk music (like "Ik mos pissen" and "Deurdonderen"). Their trademark however is their lyrics, in the dialect of the Achterhoek, about rural life and dislike of any music but true rock 'n' roll. When Normaal first performed, singing in Dutch was highly unusual for a rock band, and singing in dialect just flabbergasted the crowds. Many rural youths were struck by the attitude the band propagated: work like a man during the day, drink like a man at night, and do this all on the countryside.
Their music became known as 'boerenrock' ("farmers' rock"). Their concerts are famous for their wild 'traditions'. Traditions like throwing beer and wild mosh-pits at the front. This wild behavior has been referred to as 'brekken', 'høken', 'angaon' and 'daldeejen' by the band, words of the Achterhoek dialect used with a new meaning. Fans of Normaal are called 'høkers' or 'anhangers' - the latter just being Achterhoek dialect for 'fan'.
The song "Oerend hard" (1977) is considered a nederpop classic/anthem.
Over the last years, Bennie Jolink has been plagued by asthma, forcing the band to take on a more quiet way of touring. They frequently play in theatres now.
De boer is de keerl
Normaal Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
hi-j zwoegt deur 't hele joar
Moar de bankschuld warkt 't hardsten
en drukt op alles zwoar
CFD
hi-j dich vaak bi-j zichzelf: "woar doe ik 't veur?"
meestal dinsdagsmargen geet hi-j noar de markt
want de boer die moet ok handel'n bi-j zien wark
wi-j kunt 't niet bekieken moar 't is eerlijk woar
't boerenwark dat is onmundig zwoar
de boer dat is de keerl, de boer dat is de keerl
de boer dat is de keerl die 't mot doen
met machines en met de hand bewerkt de boer zien land
moar alleen de fabrikanten vangt de poen
de boer dat is de keerl, de boer dat is de keerl
kuch alles op krediet, geld heffe niet
met die hoge rentestand, lup 't heavig uut de hand
moar ontheffing van belasting krig-e niet
de bank eist alles op en de handel die li-jdt strop
moar de boer dat is de keerl die 't mot doen
't zol iedereen duftig raken as de boer ging staken
want de boer dat is de keerl die 't mot doen
de boer dat is de keerl, de boer dat is de keerl
de boer dat is de keerl die 't mot doen
hi-j hef gin bokse meer an 't gat
hi-j steet overal op de lat
de belasting schraapt 't laatsten betjen poen
de belasting schraapt 't laatsten betjen poen
The song "De boer is de keerl" by Normaal is a tribute to the farmers who work hard throughout the year, both in summer and winter. The lyrics describe how the farmer works tirelessly even on Sundays, often asking themselves "what am I doing this for?" The song acknowledges the hardships of farming life, including the pressure of mounting debts that come with banking loans.
The lyrics go on to describe how the farmer must also engage in trade at the market, in addition to tending to their land. Despite the difficulty and hardships, the chorus of the song repeats that "the farmer is the man who must do it", emphasizing the vital role that farmers play in society.
Overall, the song is a reminder of the critical role that farming plays in our lives, and how the farmers who work in this industry often face significant financial and physical pressures. It highlights the need to recognize and support farmers and their work.
Line by Line Meaning
hi-j warkt deur zommer en winter
He works through summer and winter
hi-j zwoegt deur 't hele joar
He toils through the whole year
Moar de bankschuld warkt 't hardsten
But the bank debt works the hardest
en drukt op alles zwoar
And weighs heavily on everything
hi-j warkt ook op zondag, hi-j warkt altied deur
He works on Sundays too, he always works through
hi-j dich vaak bi-j zichzelf: "woar doe ik 't veur?"
He often asks himself: "What am I doing this for?"
meestal dinsdagsmargen geet hi-j noar de markt
Usually on Tuesday mornings he goes to the market
want de boer die moet ok handel'n bi-j zien wark
Because the farmer also has to trade in his work
wi-j kunt 't niet bekieken moar 't is eerlijk woar
We can't see it, but it's honestly true
't boerenwark dat is onmundig zwoar
Farming work is extremely hard
de boer dat is de keerl, de boer dat is de keerl
The farmer is the man, the farmer is the man
de boer dat is de keerl die 't mot doen
The farmer is the one who has to do it
met machines en met de hand bewerkt de boer zien land
The farmer works his land with machines and by hand
moar alleen de fabrikanten vangt de poen
But only the manufacturers get the money
kuch alles op krediet, geld heffe niet
Borrowing everything on credit, not raising money
met die hoge rentestand, lup 't heavig uut de hand
With the high interest rate, it gets out of control
moar ontheffing van belasting krig-e niet
But he doesn't get exemption from taxes
de bank eist alles op en de handel die li-jdt strop
The bank demands everything and trade suffers loss
moar de boer dat is de keerl die 't mot doen
But the farmer is the one who has to do it
't zol iedereen duftig raken as de boer ging staken
It would affect everyone greatly if the farmer went on strike
want de boer dat is de keerl die 't mot doen
Because the farmer is the one who has to do it
hi-j hef gin bokse meer an 't gat
He doesn't have money in his pockets anymore
hi-j steet overal op de lat
He owes money everywhere
de belasting schraapt 't laatsten betjen poen
The government takes the last bit of money
Contributed by Leo K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@neok5199
T is mooi om dit nummer te luisteren in deze moeilijke tijden voor de boeren 🤟💪🏼
@maritvrieling2485
echt he super mooiste muziek ooit ik ben misschien een meisje maar ik hou er van
@BiffChunksteak
Moeilijke tijden zijn het voor iedereen. t Is mooi om dan niet het land te gaan terroriseren omdat je bang bent dat je straks wat minder dik in de slappe was zit.
@heinrichjeger5566
luister goed rutte 4
@coolebokepoot12nl90
Mn vader raden t me aon
@ddoeser5830
Goedemorgen ! Fijn Weekend Toegewenst Respect vóór de muziek indrukwekkend ! Groetjes aan iederéén van de muziek indrukwekkend ! Zaterdagmiddag 18 Maart Jaar 2023 Tijdstip 13:23 UUR.❤🇳🇱🙏👋🌹
@jeltew8101
Ik ben opgegroeid met deze muziek mijn vader had een cd voor mij gekocht heb het nogsteeds als een trofee staan aan mijn muur jullie blijven in mijn hart
@barttielen
Nummer 9 in de TOP2000!💪💪 Klasse gewerkt allemaal!
@barttielen
@Kak Kaars schrik
@Pikecatcher123
Machtig mooi nummer!