Beethoven
Willem Vermandere Lyrics

The song "Beethoven" by Willem Vermandere is an ode to Beethoven, a German composer and pianist known for his significant contribution to classical music. The lyrics of the song speak about Beethoven's famous Ninth Symphony, which features the famous phrase "Alle Menschen werden Brüder" (All people become brothers) and how it was intended to inspire unity among all people.

The song celebrates Beethoven's contributions to music, his persistence and dedication to his craft. As the song suggests, Beethoven wrote the melody with the intention that it would be sung by a choir of a thousand men and women, with even the audience joining in by humming the tune. The lyrics paint a picture of this melody spreading through the streets of the city, crossing borders, cultures, and languages until it is embraced by people all over the world.

However, the song also points out the irony of the phrase "Alle Menschen werden Brüder" when violence still persists in the world. The song suggests that even with Beethoven's pure intentions, the reality is that people of different backgrounds still struggle to coexist peacefully. The song ends on a somber note, with the mention of Cain and Abel from the Bible, to illustrate the paradox of humanity's potential for both brotherhood and violence.

Overall, "Beethoven" is a reflection on the power of music to inspire and unite, along with the limitations of this idealistic vision of humanity's future.

*Interesting facts about the song:"Beethoven" was released as a single in 1972 and became a big hit in Belgium and France.
*The song was written during a time of political turmoil, with the Belgian government facing protests and demands for more autonomy in the country.
*Vermandere is known for his socially conscious, politically charged lyrics, and "Beethoven" fits into his larger body of work in this sense.
*The song has been covered by several other artists, including Jan De Wilde and Eddy Wally.
*In 2015, an altered version of the song was performed in a concert in Brussels as a tribute to the victims of terrorist attacks in the city earlier that year.
*The song has been translated into several different languages, including English, Italian, and Dutch.
*Willem Vermandere is a Flemish singer-songwriter and visual artist who has been active in the music industry since the 1960s.
*Vermandere is known for his authentic, down-to-earth style and is considered a significant figure in Belgian folk music.
*He has released over a dozen albums throughout his career, with many of his songs focusing on social and political commentary.
*Although he has achieved success in his home country, Vermandere is relatively unknown outside of Belgium and the Netherlands.

Chords:
Unfortunately, the chords for this song are not readily available.