Tjanne

Tjanne, old Flemish folk song, first written down in 1544. I first heard it in Wannes Vandevelde's verimon, when I was about 10 years old. It impressed me much, the lyrics are very dramatic, and yet, even though the song is so old, very easy to understand. "Tjanne, why do you not sing, why would I sing, I will not live until tomorrow, Tjanne was scarcely buried, he married another and she beat the children and told them to go begging at 9 in the morning, the children were seen coming to their mother's grave, and they stood there for a while they prayed and fell on they're knees, in answer to they're prayer, the grave opened in three oh mother, they said, my hunger is too great, stand up and come with us, we'll ask for bread together my children, I can't come with you, my body is buried under the earth, it is my ghost that you see before you