He became popular during the 1960s. His most famous songs include Sammy, Zing-Vecht-Huil-Bid-Lach-Werk En Bewonder (Sing, fight, cry, pray, laugh, work and admire), We zullen doorgaan (We shall go on), Pastorale and Laat me (Leave me be). He frequently collaborated with Dutch singer Liesbeth List.
Shaffy was born in Paris, in the suburb Neuilly-sur-Seine. His father was an Egyptian diplomat, his mother was a Polish duchess from Russian descent. He grew up with her in Cannes. When she was infected with tuberculosis, Shaffy was sent to an aunt in Utrecht. Eventually, he ended up in a foster family in Leiden.
He did not finish high school, but he was accepted at the Amsterdam school of theatre arts in 1952. In 1955, he made his debut with the Nederlandse Comedie (Dutch Comedy). Together with his life partner Joop Admiraal he went to Rome in 1960, hoping to find a job as a film actor. They eventually returned without success. In 1964, Shaffy founded the theatre group Shaffy Chantant, which led to his first collaborations with Liesbeth List. He also worked with together with Dutch pianist Louis van Dijk. Others, including Thijs van Leer, were members of the group for short periods of time. Together with Liesbeth List, he recorded the classic song Pastorale.
His hit Wij zullen doorgaan was parodied by comedian André van Duin in 1975.
In the 1980s, Shaffy returned to the stage and the set as an actor. He successfully played Don Quixote in the musical De man van La Mancha (The man from La Mancha) in 1993. Pieter Fleury made a documentary about Shaffy in 2002, titled Ramses. It won a Gouden Kalf (Golden Calve), the most prestigious Dutch film award. In the film, Shaffy's life as a somewhat confused, shaky old man in a rest home in Amsterdam is shown. He ended up there after being beaten up at night by thugs. Many years of extensive alcohol use are the main cause of his current condition. Some say he suffers from Korsakoff's syndrome, but his doctors have never diagnosed him with it.
In the years following the film, Shaffy's condition improved slightly. His memory had become better and he sometimes made public appearances again. In the fall of 2005 he even re-recorded his 1978 hit song Laat me, together with Liesbeth List and the band Alderliefste. It became a small hit.
Shaffy died of esophageal cancer on Tuesday the 1st of december 2009.
Hallelujah Amsterdam
Ramses Shaffy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Daar waait een nieuwe wind over de Dam
Over 't Spui en het Rokin
En zet de tijd niet terug, het heeft geen zin
Want het gaat verder, het gaat door
En ik heb je lief, oho
Zeewind, zuiderwind
Ik geloof dat nu een nieuwe tijd begint
Van die lamlendigheid zijn wij nu moe
Want heet gaat verder, het gaat door
En ik heb je lief, oho
Kom, regen, daal maar neer
Maak alles schoon en zorg voor mooi, wit weer
Was de daken, was de straat
Zorg dat de sleur de goot in gaat
Want het gaat verder, het gaat door
En ik heb je lief, oho
Kom zon, kom maan
Beschijn de stad met z'n bruidskleed aan
Kom sterren, kom nacht
Er wordt een nieuwe tijd verwacht
Want het gaat verder, het gaat door
En ik heb je lief, oho
Hallelujah Amsterdam
Er waait een nieuwe wind over de Dam
Over 't Spui en het Rokin
En zet de tijd niet terug, het heeft geen zin
Want het gaat verder, het gaat door
En ik heb je lief, oho
En ik heb je lief, oho
The song "Hallelujah Amsterdam" by Ramses Shaffy speaks about a new era of hope that has dawned upon the city of Amsterdam. Shaffy sings about the new wind that is blowing over Dam Square, Spui, and Rokin, indicating that change has come and that there is no turning back. He believes that a new time is beginning, and it is time to move forward.
Shaffy expresses his love for the city, specifically mentioning the sea and southern winds. The song expresses a sense of renewal, with the rain cleaning the streets, and the sunshine and moonlight illuminating the city beautifully. Shaffy proclaims that the future is bright and that Amsterdam is poised for greatness.
The repeated line "En ik heb je lief, oho" (And I love you, oh) reflects the singer's deep-seated attachment to the city and the positive vibes it is emanating. In this song, Shaffy gives hope to the people, who are tired of their mundane lifestyle, by informing them that this is only the beginning of a new and vibrant future.
Line by Line Meaning
Hallelujah Amsterdam
Celebrating Amsterdam and the changes happening there
Daar waait een nieuwe wind over de Dam
A new wind of change is blowing over Amsterdam's central square
Over 't Spui en het Rokin
The change is also happening in other important areas of the city
En zet de tijd niet terug, het heeft geen zin
There's no point in trying to turn back time, change is inevitable
Want het gaat verder, het gaat door
Change will continue, time marches on
En ik heb je lief, oho
And I love you, Amsterdam
Zeewind, zuiderwind
The winds from the sea and the south are blowing
Ik geloof dat nu een nieuwe tijd begint
I believe a new era is beginning
Waaien - stop weg, al 't gedoe
Blow away all the fuss and bother
Van die lamlendigheid zijn wij nu moe
We're tired of the laziness and apathy
Kom, regen, daal maar neer
Let it rain, wash away the old and bring new beginnings
Maak alles schoon en zorg voor mooi, wit weer
Clean everything up and bring beautiful white weather
Was de daken, was de straat
Clean the roofs, clean the streets
Zorg dat de sleur de goot in gaat
Get rid of the routine and monotony
Kom zon, kom maan
Come sun, come moon
Beschijn de stad met z'n bruidskleed aan
Shine your light on the city, dressed up for a wedding
Kom sterren, kom nacht
Come stars, come night
Er wordt een nieuwe tijd verwacht
A new era is expected
En ik heb je lief, oho
And I love you, Amsterdam
Hallelujah Amsterdam
Celebrating Amsterdam and the changes happening there
Er waait een nieuwe wind over de Dam
A new wind of change is blowing over Amsterdam's central square
En zet de tijd niet terug, het heeft geen zin
There's no point in trying to turn back time, change is inevitable
Want het gaat verder, het gaat door
Change will continue, time marches on
En ik heb je lief, oho
And I love you, Amsterdam
En ik heb je lief, oho
And I love you, Amsterdam
Contributed by Caroline R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Martijn Keisers
Wat een geweldige man, zijn energie is onsterflijk.
Judith van Praag
Heerlijk! RIP Ramses, we luisteren nog steeds naar je, en zingen met je mee.
DutchTreatBagian
Dit wekt toch gewoon op? Fantastisch!
René van Gellekom
Mooi en echte instrumenten.
peter karsten
Geniaal.
corcovits van de veer
ooit ooit ooit Ramses was dat zo! mooie tijd!!!! tanks.
corcovits van de veer
ik was 4 jaar en tuis was er alleen radio!!
Lyric Rogers
En ik heb je lief, ohoh
Juliano Lovato
bedankt voor het delen groeten uit Brazilië
Daan Christiaan
Een profeet