THE HAGUE: Dutch organisers are scrambling to find a new song to mark the upcoming enthronement of the Netherlands' new king after a serenade written for the inauguration attracted a storm of criticism for its "imbecilic" lyrics.
"Dear compatriots, after having to block yet another insult on my Twitter account, I am now totally done," Dutch-British composer John Ewbank wrote on his Facebook page.
"My apologies to those who found it an appropriate song . . . but I hereby withdraw the Koningslied (King's Song) and wish you plenty of success" in singing one of the unofficial songs written for the inauguration of the new monarch, Willem-Alexander, on April 30.
Tens of thousands of Dutch citizens have been voicing their dismay since the song was unveiled on Friday, trashing the unlikely combination of traditional, rap and choir music.
An online petition rejecting what is described as an "imbecilic" tune has been signed by more than 38,000 people.
The song, which lasts just over five minutes, is performed by 51 Dutch artists, many of them stars in the Netherlands.
They belt out much-mocked lyrics such as: "I build a dyke with my bare hands and keep the water away" and "Three fingers in the air, come on, come on. That's the W for Willem, the W that represents being wakeful and eating stamppot [a traditional Dutch dish made from vegetables and a sausage]".
The National Inauguration Committee said they were disappointed but understood Ewbank's decision.
"The intention remains to serenade the king on April 30. Together with the Dutch public broadcaster the committee will seek a solution," national news agency ANP quoted the committee as saying.
In his message, Ewbank suggested alternatives including a catchy tune called You're the King, written by two students from Utrecht.
Two days after it was posted, the cheeky song had been watched more than 263,000 times on YouTube.
In a reference to Willem-Alexander's hugely popular Argentinian wife Maxima, who will be crowned queen, the students sing: "What a matchless wife you have, the ideal companion. If I was king, I would have known it as well."
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/world/dutch-mock- ... z2RAaizVBC
The W that represents being wakeful and eating stamppot
The W that represents being wakeful and eating stamppot
“If you trust in yourself, and believe in your dreams, and follow your star. . . you'll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things and weren't so lazy.”