| Steve Goodman – The Dutchman Lyrics | 13 years ago |
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For an excellent treatment of the origins of this song and some respectable performances, see http://compvid101.blogspot.com/2011/02/michael-peter-smith-steve-goodman-and.html (especially listen to the performance by Liam Clancy). This is a song about an eldery couple, the Ducthman and his devoted wife Margaret. The Dutchman suffers from dementia, and cannot remember most of the things he used to know, but Margaret still believes in him, and what he cannot remember, "Dear Margaret remembers that for me." I heard this song for the first time tonight when I put my daughter to bed. She had the Celtic Thunder's "Heritage" CD in her stereo, and I just put the first song on repeat. It happened to be the Dutchman. As it kept repeating, I was more and more drawn in to what the song was saying, and the relationship he and Margaret still share, after mental illness (Altzheimer's? Post-WW2 Post Traumatic Stress Disorder?) has taken its toll. After about the dozenth time, I went and hugged my wife of 17 years. She wondered why I was sobbing. Enjoy this song. If you are fortunate enough to have someone to grow old with, enjoy it together. |
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