Landverhuzers

In groups they left from here, over the big water
The new world attracted them, they only thought about later
The old land, the old people, they would have liked to stay
But a farmhand or craftsman was given little chance

A mouthful of English, just enough to ask for work
Sometimes fear high in their throats, they had to dare
The old bond let them go, although they remained tied
Until they found a new existence, a new life

Going back and forth, here up and there down
But where, where is their home
The heart beats wildly, they don't hear anything here anymore
And when, when will they come home

They struggled and fought, a heavy battle was fought
And many could barely save themselves in the end
The old land, the old people, they wanted to see it again
Memories untie what is tightly bound, even if it's long ago

And then it starts: they say, look, Gert Jan, how have you been
Good day Maree, were you ever here, what have you done
They talk here and go there, after a week or five
It becomes more and more clear to them that they didn't want to stay here

They go back and deep inside them it pinches
They don't know what is actually missing, it's incomprehensible
And when the world withdraws, time is up
When they speak like children, who will understand them there