Brigitte kaandorp (Photo credit: Roel Wijnants)
The night before last I went to see Brigitte Kaandorp, one of my favorite Dutch cabaret artists. She can relate (in practically any meaning of the word), and has a certain vision of life that I really love (or should I say: I love what I think her vision of life is). Probably my favorite song of hers is titled “Leven zonder angst“, or Live Without Fear (go there and listen). As I couldn’t really find a translation of the lyrics, here is my shot at one:
| Dutch (from Songteksten.net) | English (my own try) |
| Leven zonder angst – Brigitte Kaandorp Gisterennacht Ik kon maar niet slapen Ik lag te woelen in m’n ledikant Ik telde 100.000 witte schapen En die bleven maar staan En die keken me aan En ik riep ga nou eens aan de kantIk wil leven zonder angst Ik wil branden zonder blaren Ik wil geld zonder te sparen Ik wil feest zonder gedoe Ik wil zuipen zonder kater Een horloge zonder later Ik wil dansen zonder moe Ik wil regen zonder jas Jij zei vannacht Maar ik wil liefde zonder eind Ik wil vreten zonder dik Ik wil reizen zonder doel |
Live Without Fear – Brigitte Kaandorp Yesterday night I just couldn’t sleep Tossing and turning in my bed I counted 100.000 white sheep And they kept standing there And they looked at me And I yelled: move aside alreadyI want to live without fear Want to burn without blisters Want money without saving Want a party without hassle I want to drink without hangover A watch without later I want to dance without tired I want rain without a coat You said last night But I want love without end I want to munch without fat I want to travel without aim |
I apologize for the strange translation. Some plays on words only work in Dutch, I guess, because they are also strongly connected to cultural phenomena or (then) recent events. Also, trying to keep the translated lyrics in the original shape, I couldn’t always think of a proper word or synonym, so I might have used a weaker or not-quite-the-same translation. I tried to link to explanatory sites wherever one of the above was applicable.
What I like most about hearing these lyrics, is the comparison between inherent effects of causes (most of which are some kind of undesired side-effects), and the implied effect of fear caused by living. Plainly said: you can’t have one without the other, however much you might wish for that.
On another level, almost every side-effect is something you might worry about when (thinking about) doing the action that might cause it. And worrying is the main cause of fear. Whenever you feel fear, chances are that you just thought about what might happen. So in that case, the solution to living without fear would be: living without worrying. The side-effects are inevitable, so there’s nothing to be done about them. But, you still have the choice: you can also choose not to live at all (i.e. just sit and wait until it’s over).
Do you live?
joranvar 