De Krekel En De Mier

Jules de Corte's song "De Krekel En De Mier" is a modern retelling of the classic fable of the cricket and the ant. The song opens with the cricket, who spends his summer singing joyfully about the simple pleasures of life. He sings about the rain, the sun, and the wind, and dreams of a carefree existence. The cricket's songs are filled with a sense of contentment and a desire to live life as a cricket forever, without any worries or responsibilities.

In contrast, the ant is depicted as a diligent worker, constantly toiling away to prepare for the future. She is annoyed by the cricket's carefree attitude and reminds him that survival depends on hard work and preparation. The ant's focus is on accumulating wealth and resources, symbolized by the repeated mention of "pingping," a colloquial term for money. She believes that the summer is short and the winter is long and harsh, and thus, one must work as hard as possible to ensure survival.

As the seasons change, the consequences of their choices become evident. The ant retreats to her well-stocked home, while the cricket, having not prepared, finds himself without food, shelter, or money. Desperate, he seeks help from the ant, who coldly turns him away, leaving him to face the harsh winter alone. The cricket ultimately dies from the cold, and at his funeral, the council of ants acknowledges the beauty of his poetry and songs. However, the song ends with a poignant twist, as a young larva expresses a desire to be like the cricket but with the added security of a subsidy, highlighting the tension between artistic passion and practical survival.

"De Krekel En De Mier" explores themes of work versus leisure, the value of art, and the harsh realities of life. It serves as a reminder of the importance of balance and the need for society to support its artists, who enrich our lives with their creativity and passion.