Many of the lyrics are sketches of provincial everyday life: a young bird falling from its nest, a famous person in the village, a local funeral, scenes from the local pub or just waking up with a hangover.
Established in 1985, the band called themselves The Legendary Texas Four until Jack Poels joined as the new frontman. He joined on the condition that he wanted to add at least one song in the Limburg dialect to the band's repertoire. The other members agreed. Rowwen Hèze was born.
Rowwen Hèze translates loosely as 'Rough Hesen' and was the nickname of a notorious character from the village, Christiaan Hesen (1853-1947). Under this new name, the band started covering songs from Thin Lizzy. The band also wrote Dutch party songs for the annual carnival in the southern Netherlands.
The band saw two members leave in the early years. Mart Deckers (drums) and Geert Hermkes (accordeon) left the band. The line-up that was formed in 1991 is still intact today and has been unchanged for 29 years and counting.
- Jack Poels (lead singer, guitar)
- Tren van Enckevort (accordeon, piano, trombone)
- Jan Philipsen (bass)
- Theo Joosten (guitar, mandoline, tin whistle, percussion)
- Jack Haegens (trumpet, trombone, percussion)
The band's 1992 performance at Limburg's Pinkpop Festival was a breakthru moment. The band's set was shown live on Dutch television. At the time, the band had four studio albums under its belt: Rowwen Hèze (1987), Blieve loepe (1990), Boem (1991) and the live album, In de weiIn De Wei (1992). Their party anthem, Bestel mar (1992) hit #13 in the Dutch Top 40, still their highest charting single.
This pattern of three studio LPs and a live album repeated itself in the 1990s: Station America (1993), Zondag in het Zuiden (1995) and Water, lucht en liefde were followed by a 1999 live album entitled 't Beste van 2 werelden (1999), this time a recording of Rowwen Hèze semi-acoustic theatre incarnation.
The steady stream of albums continued in the 21st century.
Studio albums
Vandaag (2000)
Dageraad (2003)
Rodus & Lucius (2006)
Zilver (2010)
Manne van staal (2011)
Geal (2012)
Hemel op aarde: De liedjes (2013)
Vur altied: Ballades & Beer (2016)
De liefde, de muziek, de herinnering (2017)
Voorwaartsch (2019)
Onderaan beginne(2021)
Live albums:
D.A.D.P.G.S. (2003)
Andere wind (2004)
Saus (2008)
Wear of gen wear: Slotconcert 2019 (2019)
Compilation album:
Kilomeaters: 't beste van 20 joar Rowwen Hèze (2005)
Official site: www.rowwenheze.nl
Eiland in de reagen
Rowwen Hèze Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ik bin kapitein an board van mien gedachte.
Heer op dit groete meer woar alde liedjes klinken.
Langs groete donkere stien die altied blinke.
(Ref.)
Eiland in de reagen als de oavend is gedoan
Onder de moan
Leupt heer enne halve Ier
Van al dat moeis verleage
Eiland in de reagen
'T Schip vaart oet, de golve op de kade
We drieve met de stroem, god heb genade
Verder dor dit land, um merge te ontwake
Als tussen 't greune graas de steigers krake
(Refr.)
The lyrics of Rowwen Hèze's song "Eiland in de Reagen" describe a place of solace and comfort for the singer. The lyrics suggest that the singer is the captain of their own thoughts and finds refuge on an island in the rain. The island provides a sense of security and comfort, particularly at the end of the day when the evening comes and the moon rises. The singer finds peace as they walk and let go of their worries.
The symbolism of the island in the rain suggests an isolated place, far from the hustle and bustle of daily life. The singer finds a sense of tranquility on this island, where the old songs echo and the dark stones always shine. The lyrics are melancholic, but evoke a sense of peace and acceptance. The island in the rain seems to be the perfect place for the singer to let go of their worries and find balance in their life.
Line by Line Meaning
Heer kan ik aalt terecht um mien zurg te verzachte.
Here, I can always find comfort to ease my worries.
Ik bin kapitein an board van mien gedachte.
I am the captain on board of my own thoughts.
Heer op dit groete meer woar alde liedjes klinken.
Here, on this great lake where old songs can be heard.
Langs groete donkere stien die altied blinke.
Past large dark stones that always shine.
(Ref.)
Eiland in de reagen als de oavend is gedoan
Onder de moan
Noa de reagen
Leupt heer enne halve Ier
Van al dat moeis verleage
Eiland in de reagen
Island in the rain, after the evening has passed, under the moon. After the rain, he walks a mile, letting go of all the troubles. Island in the rain.
'T Schip vaart oet, de golve op de kade
The ship sails out, the waves hitting the quay.
We drieve met de stroem, god heb genade
We drift with the current, may God have mercy.
Verder dor dit land, um merge te ontwake
Further through this land, to wake up tomorrow.
Als tussen 't greune graas de steigers krake
As the boards creak between the green grass.
Writer(s): vrienten
Contributed by Kaylee C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.