Cogs can think.

The Netherlands has a very rich musical culture. The problem of course is that despite the fact that I would really like to share this culture, nobody but us Dutch do in fact speak Dutch. You all can’t understand a word we’re singing.

That’s why I decided to do rough translation of one of the most beautiful Dutch songs: “Het Regent Zonnestralen” (”It’s Raining Sunrays”) by Acda & De Munnik, two of the nation’s most well known singers/songwriters/artists/actors/performers. The translation is as literal as possible, so it does not follow the rhythm or melody or anything. It is really advised to get the song from someplace (it isn’t sold in the US or anything, so as far as I’m concerned, you’re entitled to a download) - this is so important as the music plays a big role in the atmosphere of the song.

On a terrace under the sun, somewhere in France
There’s a man who, up until yesterday, never won
But his car had crashed nearby
Without him, without Herman
Because he just sold it

Herman on the terrace under the sun
Reads in the paper his life is over
His car completely burnt to ashes
And the man who bought it
Stood in the paper under his name

Oh oh oh
Breath steadily
It seems as if it’s raining like always
But it’s raining sun-rays

Only a week ago, in a park in Amsterdam
He oversaw his life, and it dawned on him
He was a man who’s life was already done
And of all his childhood dreams
Only growing old had been achieved

Oh oh oh
Breath steadily
It seems as if it’s raining like always
But it’s raining sun-rays

On a bench in the park came the decision
Call it brave, call it fleeing, but I’m out of here
A week ago, and now he sits here again
With more freedom than he could take and now he was out of ideas

Herman reads the paper over and over again
It really says right there, page eighteen, black bevelled
He used to keep his opinions
and his dreams to himself
Now he was nothing nowhere nobody
Can go wherever he wants

Herman pays the bill and leaves
He can finally feel the wind in his hair
“I have been given a second chance
and that’s more than I deserve
But if this is it, then this is it
if this is it, then this is it
if this is it, then this is it
And we’ll see what it means.”

Oh oh oh
Breath steadily
It seems as if it’s raining like always
But it’s raining sun-rays

Clever, ain’t it?