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Koppelstok's Song: The 1572 Capture of Den Briel

In the early years of the Dutch Revolt, the revolutionaries (geuzen click to hear) were not able to hold any territory, and some fled 'to the sea,' became pirates, who were supposed to prey on Spanish shipping. At first, they were tolerated in German and British harbors, but after a few years they were banned. In a lucky coincidence, at that time a small fleet on the coast near Rotterdam was contacted by local ferryman Koppelstok, who said that the city of Brill (Den Briel click to hear) did not have its Spanish garrison, and then on April 1st 1572 Den Briel became the first liberated Dutch town, the first success of the Revolt.
It's a beautiful story in elementary school history. I remember being told the men used a ship's mast to bash in one of the city's gates.
In my translation I call the Dutch revolutionaries 'minutemen.'

Years ago, Sarah Popiel asked me to record a reading of the poem for her singing group, so they could familiarize themselves with the Dutch pronunciation. Reading the poem aloud, its rhythm came naturally, without special effort - but it's not how people in Holland normally speak.

Koppelstok's Song Een Liedje van Koppelstok click to hear
(A.J. Schooleman, 1871)
In the name of [the Prince of] Orange, open the gate
The minutemen are in the harbor;
Their admiral is not looking for compromise
He demands the surrender of the city or you're done for.
That's Lumey's order, on my honor
And citizens, resistance is futile -
The minutemen are coming for Den Briel!
The minutemen are coming for Den Briel! 		In naam van Oranje, doet open de poort!
De watergeus ligt aan den wal;
De vlootvoogd der geuzen, hij maakt geen akkoord,
Hij vordert Den Briel of Uw val
Dat is het bevel van Lumey, op mijn eer,
En burgers, hier baat nu geen tegenstand meer,
De watergeus komt om Den Briel!
De watergeus komt om Den Briel! click to hear slow
There are 5000 men on the fleet
The men are courageous and eager
In a moment they'll step ashore
They expect a message within an hour
Do not tarry but open the gate!
Then the minutemen will quickly and without murder
Occupy the stronghold Den Briel!
Occupy the stronghold Den Briel! 		De vloot is met vijfduizend koppen bemand,
De mannen zijn kloek en vol vuur.
Een ogenblik nog en zij stappen aan land,
Zij wachten bericht binnen 't uur;
Gij moogt dus niet dralen, doet open de poort!
Dan nemen de geuzen terstond zonder moord
Bezit van de vesting Den Briel!
Bezit van de vesting Den Briel! click to hear 2 slow
Come, give me the word, I have to return soon,
The clock has already struck the hour.
I'm telling you, if you don't hand over the keys quickly,
Then your fate is already sealed.
The alert minutemen are gnashing their teeth
Sharpening their swords and getting ready
And taking an oath: "Death or Den Briel!"
And taking an oath: "Death or Den Briel!" 		Komt, geeft de verzeek'ring, ik moet spoedig terug,
De klok heeft het uur reeds gemeld.
Ik zeg 't U, geeft gij mij de sleutels niet vlug,
Dan is reeds Uw vonnis geveld.
De wakkere geuzen staan tandknersend daar,
Zij wetten hun zwaarden en maken zich klaar
En zweren: "den dood of Den Briel!"
En zweren: "den dood of Den Briel!" click to hear slow
Some are getting out, some flock together
Speaking of Koppelstok's order:
"The town in their hands or otherwise death ..."
The decision for the first is taken!
But barely has the ferryman been pleased [with it,]
Or Simon de Rijk broke open the gate.
And that way the minutemen entered Den Briel!
And that way the minutemen entered Den Briel! 		Hier dringt men naar buiten, daar schuilt men bijeen
En spreekt over Koppelstok's last:
"De stad in hun handen of anders den dood ..."
't Besluit tot het eerste staat vast!
Maar nauw'lijks is hiermee de veerman gevleid,
Of Simon de Rijk heeft de poort gerammeid,
En zo kwam de geus in Den Briel!
En zo kwam de geus in Den Briel! click to hear slow
In reality, there were only two to three hundred men on the ships.