In 't Bronsgroen Eikenhout

In 't Bronsgroen Eikenhout is the anthem of Limburg, a region split up in two parts: Belgian Limburg and Dutch Limburg. Since Limburg is not a country, the anthem is not official, but it is regarded as such in the whole Limburgian territory. The last verse, which is about the Dutch royal family, is almost never sung since it reminds the Limburgians about their oppression by the Dutch.

Related Topics:
Limburg - Belgian Limburg - Dutch Limburg

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The anthem has been written by schoolteacher Gerard Krekelberg in 1909 . The melody was composed by Hendrik (or Henri) Thyssen from Roermond. Henri Thyssen also wrote the anthem for Roermond, Oud en trouw Roermond. The anthem was written in old Dutch.

Related Topics:
Gerard Krekelberg - 1909 - Roermond - Oud en trouw Roermond - Dutch

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In everyday life in Limburg around 1900 Dutch was of no importance. Everything was done in Limburgs. Newspapers in the 19th and 20th century were written in German or Limburgs and in most parts of Limburg German was the language used in church and education. In this time Maastricht still had a very strong connection with French-speaking areas around Liege . Krekelberg's poem was used on purpose to force the people of Limburg into speaking Dutch. Proof of this is the very un-Limburgian part in the anthem. In 1900 the people in Limburg had to swear their allegiance to the Dutch royal family of the House of Orange-Nassau in a "aanhankelijkheidsverklaring aan het Oranjehuis" and had to start using Dutch instead of Limburgs.

Related Topics:
1900 - Limburgs - German - Maastricht - Liege - Dutch - House of Orange-Nassau

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The lyrics are written in ancient Dutch. When played, usually only the first stanza is sung.

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