Wannes was a very good flamenco player as well, and did regular performances all over the Flanders together with Spanish colleagues and flamenco dancers.
Wannes Van de Velde passed away on November 10, 2008.
'Ne Zanger Is Een Groep
Wannes Van de Velde Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Deze persoên diên ier zoe móedig sta te zinge
da's er mor iênen oep 't iêste zicht
want 't zou oniêrlijk zen al d'aender te verdringe
die onderdduzende muziekvernuftelinge
uit alle tijde doenker en licht
Zonder de stem van die miljóene muzikaente
dan was 't ni meugelijk te zingen of te daense
dan was muziek al laenk begrave zonder kraense
dan zou ne zanger ni miêr bestaan
Al de violen en schalmeien en bazuine
van Griek en Saxer van zwart en blaenk
ebbe geboud oep 't graf van polletiek ajuine
tusse de roemmel en den oorlog en de puine
een piramide van zang en klaenk
Mor iêl de wereld is verblind deur linke binke
en deur de grondwet van et reklaam
ne zanger moet gelak een filmstaer ston blinke
gelak de paus oep z'n balkonneke ston winke
nor d'aerm schape die liêger staan
Verteld me noêt ni miêr: ne zanger is iet iênig
want da's e leuge dad is reklaam
ne zanger is een groep da' zing ek en da miên ek
een lieke zingde noêt of noêt alliênig
zonder al d'aender zou da ni' gaan
The song "Ne zanger is een groep" by Wannes Van de Velde is an ode to the power of music and the importance of the individual voice within a larger musical context. The lyrics speak to the idea that a singer is not alone, but rather is part of a collective of musicians and performers whose contributions are essential to the creation of music. The singer is not just a solitary figure, but rather represents the thousands of musicians who have come before and will come after him.
The song highlights the fact that without the voices of millions of other musicians, music would not exist as we know it today. The instruments and musical styles of different cultures and time periods have come together to create a rich and diverse musical landscape. The lyrics also address the challenges faced by musicians in the modern world, in which advertising and commercialization often overshadow the importance of the music itself. Despite this, the singer remains committed to his craft and to the community of musicians who share his passion and dedication.
Overall, "Ne zanger is een groep" is a powerful and moving tribute to the transformative power of music and the enduring importance of the individual voice within it.
Line by Line Meaning
Ne zanger is een groep
A singer is not just an individual but a collective of musicians and artists.
Deze persoên diên ier zoe móedig sta te zinge
These individuals courageously standing here singing.
da's er mor iênen oep 't iêste zicht
That's only one person at first glance.
want 't zou oniêrlijk zen al d'aender te verdringe
It would be unfair to push aside all the others.
die onderdduzende muziekvernuftelinge
The thousands of musical creations.
uit alle tijde doenker en licht
From all times, light and dark.
Zonder de stem van die miljóene muzikaente
Without the voices of those millions of musicians.
was 't meh schoên liekes al laenk gedaan
There would be no beautiful songs left.
dan was 't ni meugelijk te zingen of te daense
It would not be possible to sing or dance.
dan was muziek al laenk begrave zonder kraense
Music would have long been buried without any ceremony.
dan zou ne zanger ni miêr bestaan
There would be no singers left.
Al de violen en schalmeien en bazuine
All the violins, trumpets, and horns.
van Griek en Saxer van zwart en blaenk
From Greece, Germany, from black and white musicians.
ebbe geboud oep 't graf van polletiek ajuine
They built on the grave of political onions.
tusse de roemmel en den oorlog en de puine
Amidst chaos, war, and rubble.
een piramide van zang en klaenk
A pyramid of sound and melody.
Mor iêl de wereld is verblind deur linke binke
The whole world is blinded by deception.
en deur de grondwet van et reklaam
And by the law of advertising.
ne zanger moet gelak een filmstaer ston blinke
A singer must shine like a movie star.
gelak de paus oep z'n balkonneke ston winke
Like the pope waving on his balcony.
nor d'aerm schape die liêger staan
To the poor people standing below.
Verteld me noêt ni miêr: ne zanger is iet iênig
Don't ever tell me again that a singer is an individual.
want da's e leuge dad is reklaam
That's a lie that is promoted by advertising.
ne zanger is een groep da' zing ek en da miên ek
A singer is a group that sings and expresses together.
een lieke zingde noêt of noêt alliênig
A song is never sung alone.
zonder al d'aender zou da ni' gaan
Without everyone else, it wouldn't work.
Contributed by Sophia M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Luc Cannoot
Grote meneer!