Drs. P - Dodenrit (nl) (1974)
This is a great and peculiar song but very well made and beautiful lyrics with humour.
From:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Throw_to_the_wolves"
Drs. P's 1974 song "Dodenrit" ("Death Ride"),[1] his most popular, is an extensive reimagining of the story,[6] and the metaphor remains commonly understood and in current use on both sides of the Atlantic into the 21st century."
The lyrics are below the video and taken, with some small changes by me, from:
https://muzikum.eu/en/127-677-527104/drs-p/dodenrit-trojkade-dodenrit-english-translation.html(5m13)
We're riding in a troika through the never ending woods
It's freezing minus thirty, it is winter, rather cold
The horse hoofs all are creaking in the fresh, just fallen snow
It's nightfall in Siberia, no lion to be seen
We're riding with the children, although they are slightly young
In these unending woods, I just before have sung about
A shaded landscape that is very hard to oversee
We all feel fortunate that there're no lions here around
We're on our way to Omsk, but the road is very long
So we will while away the time with festive, cheerful songs
But meanwhile in the background something starts to move around
It's dark and in large numbers, it's unhealthy I'm afraid
They still are far behind us, but I see them nonetheless
It is a really large pack and they're running very fast
And by trailing behind us, shortly they will all catch up
That would be disadvantuous for a young small family
These dark and dusky figures they can run extremely fast
They're running on four legs and they look evil and so mean
They have big teeth and canines, it is clearly within sight
They probably are wolves and they're malicious furthermore
Although it is alarming, I don't panic not the least
I keep up courage thanks to folk music and singing songs
We know our songbook all by heart and sing a lot of songs
While all the wolves come closer, closer, in their gallop speed
From this point to the town of Omsk it is a hundred verst
It's pleasant that the horses were renewed this afternoon
A pity though that we meanwhile are catched up by the wolves
One sees the healthy appetite that's shining in their eyes
Behaving unconcerned still we are singing constantly
But something has to happen 'Under mother's umbrella'
And without being noticed I consider with my wife
"Who has to be the chosen", I ask, "come up with it now"
"Well, should it then be Igor", "No, he plays the violin"
"And what about Natasja", "But she does so well at school"
"Sonja maybe", "Oh no, not her, her lovely alto voice"
So in the end the little Pjotr is the final choice
While singing all along I handy grab the little chap
He flies right out the troika with a creepy scary cry
The wolves have full attention for this so delicious snack
Just eighty-four more werst and 'O, today we are so glad'
We must appreciate our Pjotr that he's eatable
'Cause thanks to that we're rid of that whole pack of wolves for now
We're chasing on and on as in a awful gruesome dream
'Ajo ajo ajo, the coconut tree is so high'
The howling sound comes closer and our hope is ripped once more
The pack of wolves is back and that means it is Sonja's turn
The poor child now goes out, she was so cheerful and so good
Just sixty-eight more werst and 'Our earl lives in The Hague'
I'm thinking by myself and my poor wife sheds many tears
And look there right behind us all those wolves are coming back
So Igor, it's a pity, violinist you won't be
Just fifty-two more werst and 'Once there was a girl so keen'
Now Igor is removed we get some rest for a short while
But no, the wolves are catching up, the next portion they want
Natasja's dying cry is painful cutting through our souls
Just thirty-six more werst and 'In a blue and chequered blouse'
My wife and I are left over and we sing a duet
If we'll be lucky from now on, we'll make it just in time
Alas, I have to give her up to the arriving group
Just twenty werst to go and 'Hoeperdepoep sat on the kerb'
I'm singing much more joyful now, 'cause Omsk's within sight
I'm jumping out of happiness, but lose my balance then
And while the wolves so greedy eat me, I think: "It's too bad
Yes, Omsk is a lovely town, but just too far away"
Troika here, troika there
Yes, you see a lot this year
Troika here, troika there
Everywhere the horse hair sticks
Troika here, troika there
It's in stock, deliverable
Troika here, troika there
Softly snores the samovar
Troika here, troika there
With a motion of the hand
Troika here, troika there
Try yourself with needle, shear
Troika here, troika there
Is it not quiet wonderful
Troika here, troika there
Just minced meat and ground-beef steak
Troika here, troika there
Philanthropical bazar
Troika here, troika there
Shame on you, so sleepy still
Troika here, troika there
Mother is the coffee hot
Troika here, troika there
Look, an eagle walking there
Troika here, troika there
Do you have a slaughterhouse
Troika here, troika there
Bass guitar and crack cigar
Troika here, troika there
A robust built widower
Troika here, troika there
Long live our good old tzar
