Learn Dutch Through Music: Part I - BLØF

BLØF is without a doubt the most popular band on the Learn Dutch Through Music: Part I playlist. This four-piece rock band is also one of the most well-known Dutch band outside of the Netherlands due to their many collaborations with other bands from all over the world. In fact, a friend of mine recently emailed me asking for some tips and advice on learning Dutch and confessed that her reason for wanting to learn the language was to be able to understand BLØF's Dutch songs as it's one of her favorite bands. Two-time winners of the Edison Award for "Best Band" in the Netherlands, the group got it's start in 1992 and consist of bassist Peter Slager, guitarist Paskal Jakobsen, drummer Henk Tjoonk, and Bas Kennis on keyboards.

Their hit Omarm is my favorite of the Dutch language songs we perform with Divina Close Harmony. The first time I actually heard BLØF's version of the song was when I began compiling the playlist for Learn Dutch Through Music: Part I. It's a beautiful piece with beautiful lyrics. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

 

Here are the lyrics to Omarm. Read the translation first (to come soon) and compare it to the Dutch version. Are there words that look familiar to you or that resemble their English equivalents? Look up words if you need to in order to get an idea of what the song is about. Read through the lyrics a few times (reading aloud is most helpful) before you play the music. When you play the song, follow along and once you're feeling comfortable, try singing along! For more hits and artists, check out the Learn Dutch Through Music Page!

Hoe ver je gaat
Heeft met afstand niets te maken
Hoogstens met de tijd
En ik weet niet hoe het komt
Dat ik weg wil
Maar het treft me hard en zuiver
En het houdt hardnekkig stand
Dus hier sta ik
Met een uitgestoken hand


Lief, ga dan mee
Omarm me
Omarm me, omarm me
Lief, ga dan mee
Omarm me
Omarm me, omarm me
En breng me nergens heen


Hoe diep je gaat
Heeft met denken niets te maken
Hoogstens met een wil
En het voelt alsof ik weet
Waar ik heenga
Het leidt me in het donker
En het spot met mijn verstand
Hier sta ik
Met mijn uitgestoken hand


Lief, ga dan mee
Omarm me
Omarm me, omarm me
Lief, ga dan mee
Omarm me
Omarm me, omarm me
En breng me nergens heen


Lief, ga dan mee
Omarm mijn lijf en leden
Omarm mijn waanideen
Omarm me, omarm me
Lief, ga dan mee
Omarm heel mijn verleden
Omarm mijn zeven zeen
Omarm me, omarm me
En breng me nergens heen


Hoe recht je staat
Heeft met zwaarte niets te maken
Hoogstens met de wind