Digital
(22-226)
Released: 30 Sep 2022
'De Koeter’ is the follow up of previous released ‘De Eerste Knecht’ and together they form a musical postcard about a farm in West Zeeuws Flanders, early 20th century. Both songs are inspired by a story of Leo Bootsgezel from 1923.
De Koeter, or Cow-keeper, was a child who grazes the cows along the dikes. Koeters were taken out of school to earn money for the family. They were the workhorse of the farm, had to do all kinds of chores and were often treated like a scourge. Just like cowboys in America and shepherds from Austria, the Cow-keepers had their own unique yodel with which they indicate their presence in the landscape."
This yodel isn’t only heard in ‘De Koeter, Dieleman sings about de Koeter that hates the first servant (a reference to last single ‘De Eerste Knecht).