Mens, durf te leven [English translation]

You live very shortly

And only once

And soon when you want something else, you can't anymore

Man, dare to live

Don't ask every day

About your short existence

How have my father and my grandfather done

How does my cousin and how does my friend

And who knows what the neighbour thinks

And what has etiquette instructed

Man, dare to live

The people decide the colour of your tie

The shape of your hat

And the fit of your coat

And the fit of your life

They point at the paths along which you may go

And they shout: How dare you, if you suddenly stand still

They decide your future, they choose your profession

And they pick a pub for you, and a church

And what you should give to the poor

Man, is that life?

The people, they prescribe you with life rules

They advise you and shout in unison

That's how you should live

You can interact with that person

You can interact with that person, but that one not enough

And you need to marry that one even though you don't feel like it

And you need to live there, that's what decency's forced you to

And you're ignored if you'd do it differently

Like you did something wrong

Man, is that life?

Life is wonderful

Life is beautiful

But fly out in the air

And don't crouch into your cage

Man, dare to live

With your head up high

And your nose in the wind

And don't give a damn

About what someone else thinks

Keep a heart full of warmth

And of love in your chest

But be a monarch on your square meter

What you are looking for, no one else can give

• Artist:Ramses Shaffy