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.
Oorlogsgeleerden
Wannes Van de Velde Lyrics
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Ge bouwt de torpedo's en waterstofbom.
Ge schuilt achter muren en achter papier
Maar ik ken al uw kuren, uw stalen manier.
G' hebt nooit nie gewerkt dan in het bedrijf
Dat mensen vernietigt en harten verstijft.
Ge geeft mij uw wapen, maar ge mijdt mijnen blik
Ge bouwt aan ‘t verderf van leven en land
Ge steekt met uw streken de wereld in brand.
En al kan 't u nie schelen, dat ik u verwens
Toch zijde ne vloek in de buurt van ne mens.
Ge zaait uwe waanzin, die koud is en wreed
Ge foltert m'n kinderen, ge lacht met hun leed.
En ik weet dat de schepper het denkbeeld verfoeit
Dat er menselijk bloed door uw aderen vloeit.
Crepeer voor mijn part en liefst nog vandaag
En ik volg uw kist liever rap dan te traag
En ik zal u zien zakken in de vredige grond
En ik schrijf op uw graven: ‘Gevaarlijken hond'!
Zie bij 'verder lezen' voor de Dylantekst
Masters of War - Bob Dylan
Come you masters of war
You that build the big guns
You that build the death planes
You that build all the bombs
You that hide behind walls
You that hide behind desks
I just want you to know
I can see through your masks
You that never done nothin'
But build to destroy
You play with my world
Like it's your little toy
You put a gun in my hand
And you hide from my eyes
And you turn and run farther
When the fast bullets fly
Like Judas of old
You lie and deceive
A world war can be won
You want me to believe
But I see through your eyes
And I see through your brain
Like I see through the water
That runs down my drain
You fasten all the triggers
For the others to fire
Then you set back and watch
While the death count gets higher
Then you hide in your mansion
While the young people's blood
Flows out of their bodies
And is buried in the mud
You've thrown the worst fear
That can ever be hurled
Fear to bring children
Into the world
For threatening my baby
Unborn and unnamed
You ain't worth the blood
That runs in your veins
How much do I know
To talk out of turn
You might say that I'm young
You might say I'm unlearned
But there's one thing I know
Though I'm younger than you
Even Jesus would never
Forgive what you do
Let me ask you one question
Is your money that good
Will it buy you forgiveness
Do you think that it could
I think you will find
When your death takes its toll
All the money you made
Will never buy back your soul
And I hope that you die
And your death'll come soon
I will follow your casket
In the pale afternoon
And I'll watch while you're lowered
Down to your deathbed
And I'll stand o'er your grave
'Til I'm sure that you're dead
The song "Oorlogsgeleerden" or "War Pundits" by Wannes Van de Velde is a powerful anti-war song that criticizes those who build and profit from the war while remaining distant from its brutality. The lyrics describe the war pundits, referred to as "genies van 't kanon" or "masters of war," who build weapons of destruction such as torpedoes and hydrogen bombs. They hide behind walls and paperwork, but their cruel intentions and tactics are known. The lyrics also express a deep hatred for their actions and the devastation they bring to life and land. The chorus urges these war pundits to die and be buried in a peaceful grave, but also serves as a warning to future generations to remember their destruction.
The lyrics of "Oorlogsgeleerden" convey a sense of anger and frustration towards those who profit from the war. The song communicates that these war pundits are responsible for the destruction of human lives, and yet they remain distant from it. The song's powerful imagery and metaphors capture the devastation and horror of war, bringing it closer to the listeners' hearts. It urges people to speak out against war and its makers and to remember the devastation it brings for generations to come.
Line by Line Meaning
Oorlogsgeleerden, genies van 't kanon
Military experts, geniuses of the cannon
Ge bouwt de torpedo's en waterstofbom.
You build torpedoes and hydrogen bombs.
Ge schuilt achter muren en achter papier
You hide behind walls and paper
Maar ik ken al uw kuren, uw stalen manier.
But I know all your tricks, your steel manner.
G' hebt nooit nie gewerkt dan in het bedrijf
You've never worked except for the company
Dat mensen vernietigt en harten verstijft.
That destroys people and freezes hearts.
Ge geeft mij uw wapen, maar ge mijdt mijnen blik
You give me your weapon, but you avoid my gaze.
En fluiten er kogels, dan schijt ge van schrik.
And when bullets whistle, you are scared out of your wits.
Ge bouwt aan ‘t verderf van leven en land
You build to the ruin of life and land.
Ge steekt met uw streken de wereld in brand.
You set the world on fire with your tricks.
En al kan 't u nie schelen, dat ik u verwens
And even though you don't care that I curse you
Toch zijde ne vloek in de buurt van ne mens.
You're still a curse in the vicinity of a human.
Ge zaait uwe waanzin, die koud is en wreed
You sow your madness, which is cold and cruel.
Ge foltert m'n kinderen, ge lacht met hun leed.
You torture my children, you laugh at their suffering.
En ik weet dat de schepper het denkbeeld verfoeit
And I know the Creator abhors the idea
Dat er menselijk bloed door uw aderen vloeit.
That human blood flows through your veins.
Crepeer voor mijn part en liefst nog vandaag
Die today for all I care, and as soon as possible.
En ik volg uw kist liever rap dan te traag
And I'll follow your coffin sooner rather than later.
En ik zal u zien zakken in de vredige grond
And I'll see you sink in the peaceful ground.
En ik schrijf op uw graven: ‘Gevaarlijken hond'!
And I'll write on your graves: 'Dangerous dog!'
Contributed by Julia P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@RobMitshi
bravo , ik was echt mijn vadeland kwijt precies, gelukkig zijn de liekes nie gecencureerd, ge proeft den ouwe taaaid
@peterkraaijeveld1278
Mooie interpretatie zeg. Ik vrees dat Dylans 'Masters of War' actueel zal blijven tot in lengte van dagen.
@DirkvandeMolenbeauxarts
prachtige stemmen en alweer actuele teksten
@DirkCosyns
Oorlog aan de oorlog !
@NAISGAZETTE
Knap , en steeds actueel!
@rokkederijck5295
miis him
@DupreMartin
knap
@remus3960
Met dank aan Bob Dylan voor het origineel maar Wannes en Roland doen het alle eer aan ... Bob zal content zijn .
@surfhark3230
De melodie, waar uiteindelijk de kracht vh nummer in schuilt, heeft Dylan ook van elders.
@albertstruyf1
Aan de heer Poetin.