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
Langzaam
Rowwen Hèze Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
sinds 'n paar daag kan ik d'r neet mier neave
alles wat d'r is wil ik met ow beleave
vanaf 't moment dat ik ow zaag
wil ik 't allemoal hebbe en 't lifst vandaag
ik wil alles met ow deile mar ik weit ni hoe
woar mot ik met al mien energie nar toe
ik wil alles vur ow doon ik wil ow alles vertelle
refrein: 't mot langzaam, langzaam is 't beste
langzaam en in de moat
di nou rent, din is straks 't leste
't ritme, van de stroat
geduld als enne tijger listig als en slang
ik ving 't allemoal geweldig mar 't deurd te lang
miene kop zet stop mar mien bien dreie door
d'n ierste kier op enne fiets ging ik al teage de moor
refein
The lyrics of the Dutch song "Langzaam" by Rowwen Hèze talk about the overwhelming feeling of being in love and wanting to share everything with the beloved. The singer expresses his desire to have everything and to do everything for the loved one, but he struggles to figure out how to channel all his energy towards this goal. Throughout the song, he repeats that "slowly but surely" is the best way to approach things, and that patience, like a tiger and sly like a snake, is necessary. He also acknowledges that he is excited about the prospects of this love, but he is finding it difficult to keep the excitement alive, as the buildup is taking too long.
The song uses a metaphor of walking in the rhythm of the street, which implies that everything has its own pace and that forcing things will only lead to disappointment. The singer tries to convince himself to embrace this laid-back mentality by affirming that he should stop his racing thoughts and slow down his movement. The chorus repeats the message of the song, emphasizing that taking things slowly and enjoying the journey is much better than rushing and risking one's chances.
Overall, "Langzaam" is a song about savouring the experience of falling in love and learning to appreciate the slow, deliberate pace of life that leads to a fulfilling relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
sinds 'n paar daag kan ik d'r neet mier neave
For the past few days, I can't get you out of my mind
alles wat d'r is wil ik met ow beleave
I want to experience everything with you
vanaf 't moment dat ik ow zaag
Since the moment I saw you
wil ik 't allemoal hebbe en 't lifst vandaag
I want to have everything with you, preferably today
ik wil alles met ow deile mar ik weit ni hoe
I want to share everything with you, but I don't know how
woar mot ik met al mien energie nar toe
Where should I direct all my energy?
ik wil alles vur ow doon ik wil ow alles vertelle
I want to do everything for you and tell you everything
mar d'r is zoveul mier ik mot neet versnelle
But there is so much more, I shouldn't rush
refrein: 't mot langzaam, langzaam is 't beste
Chorus: Slowly is the best way
langzaam en in de moat
Slowly and in the rhythm
di nou rent, din is straks 't leste
Those who rush now, will be last in the end
't ritme, van de stroat
The rhythm of the street
geduld als enne tijger listig als en slang
Patience like a tiger, clever like a snake
ik ving 't allemoal geweldig mar 't deurd te lang
I thought it was all amazing, but it's taking too long
miene kop zet stop mar mien bien dreie door
My brain says stop, but my legs keep going
d'n ierste kier op enne fiets ging ik al teage de moor
The first time I rode a bike, I went straight into the wall
refrein
Chorus
Contributed by Asher C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.