DOEKEGAT PIRATE CHOIR
The Doekegat Pirate Choir from Uithuizermeeden was founded in 1991. The choir is under the musical direction of accordionist and arranger Klaas van der Woude. In choosing its repertoire, the choir behaves rather idiosyncratically, as a pirate choir should be, for the songs sung are only partly shanties. There are also many folk and leisure songs in Dutch, German, English, or – not to mention – Gronings, of which in quite a few cases both the lyrics and melody were created in their own ranks. This makes the choir special and therefore attractive.
The pirates prefer to sing and play about looting, sailing, fun white beaches and blonde girls. Sometimes they think back to lost loves with melancholy, but always they sing with humor and, above all, cheerfully and exuberantly.
Likewise, the accompaniment is different from a normal shanty choir. In addition to 3 accordionists, a guitar plays along as well as a concert drum. A big drum and various percussion instruments add extra jeu to the proceedings.
The choir’s name refers to the “Doekegat”; a deep channel in the Wadden Sea. Through the Westereems, ships with a large draught and thus with a lot of tonnage have access through this channel to Eemshaven, among other places.
We can imagine that you too would like to meet our enthusiastic pirates. There are quite a lot of them, but you need not fear them. After all, their motto is “Frolijck mit Eeren.”
This activity is part of the summer activities organized in Earnewâld under the banner “Eltse snein wat by d’ein!”. Every Sunday afternoon from May through September, the middle class and local associations organize an activity that takes place in and around the center of Earnewâld.
