Ramses Shaffy (born in Neuilly-sur-Seine, Paris, France - 29 August 1933 - … Read Full Bio ↴Ramses Shaffy (born in Neuilly-sur-Seine, Paris, France - 29 August 1933 - 1 December 2009 - Amsterdam, The Netherlands) was a Dutch singer, chansonnier, and actor.

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.

Wij Zullen Doorgaan
Ramses Shaffy Lyrics

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We zullen doorgaan
Met de stootkracht
Van de milde kracht
Om door te gaan
In een sprakeloze nacht
We zullen doorgaan
We zullen doorgaan
Tot we samen zijn

We zullen doorgaan
Met de wankelende zekerheid
Om door te gaan
In een mateloze tijd
We zullen doorgaan
We zullen doorgaan
Tot we samen zijn

We zullen doorgaan
Met het zweet op ons gezicht
Om alleen door te gaan
In een loopgraaf zonder licht
We zullen doorgaan
We zullen doorgaan
Tot we samen zijn

We zullen doorgaan
Telkens als we stil staan
Om weer door te gaan
Naakt in de orkaan
We zullen doorgaan
We zullen doorgaan
Tot we samen zijn

We zullen doorgaan
Als niemand meer verwacht
Dat we weer doorgaan
In een sprakeloze nacht
We zullen doorgaan

We zullen doorgaan
Tot we samen zijn

Overall Meaning

Ramses Shaffy's "Wij Zullen Doorgaan" is a song about perseverance and the power of unity. The lyrics speak of pressing forward through tough times with an unwavering strength of will, withstanding any adversity that comes with a quiet but fierce determination. The gentle power of the lyrics is conveyed in the phrase "met de stootkracht van de milde kracht," or "with the thrust of the gentle force," signaling a strength tempered by gentleness and kindness. The song encourages us to continue pressing forward, even when facing uncertain times or feeling lost in the darkness.

Through these lyrics, Shaffy urges us to persevere even when we feel tired and alone. He speaks to the human experience of feeling adrift in a world that is constantly changing and volatile. However, he reminds us that we are not alone and that we are stronger together. Shaffy understands that life is full of difficulties, but through the power of continued effort and unity, we can emerge stronger and more resilient.

In summary, "Wij Zullen Doorgaan" is a song of hope and perseverance in the face of adversity. It encourages us to keep moving forward, even when confronted with the darkness and uncertainty of life. The song's message is one of unity, emphasizing that we are stronger together and that we can overcome any obstacle if we continue to press forward with a thoughtful, determined spirit.

Line by Line Meaning