Chili-Vietnam-Israel

Annotation

Contemporary folk group, associated with Kleinkunst - "Dutch-language genre from the Netherlands and Flanders with influences from Cabaret, protest songs, Chanson, and folk". Group formed in 1967 in Belgium. Disbanded 12 July 1976. It featured Ivan Poppe, Paul Poppe, Ray Poppe, Riet Bracke, and Herman Van Caekenberghe. They recorded the protest song "Chili-Vietnam-Israel" (Cardinal Records # C 3306) released on Antwerpen, Belgium-based record label, drawing parallels to conflicts in different parts of the world, South East Asia, the Middle East, and South America: "they promise peace and freedom for their country... we still make the world hell".

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

Lyrics

English: Prophets foretold his coming for years / Stars and angels' singing were laid on / Even the wise men moved from East to West / But after his departure the show didn't go so well / He promised peace and freedom for his country / Afterwards the effect got a bit out of hand / We still make the world a hell / From Chile and Vietnam to Israel / After him others came with their own doctrine / Defending love, or cannon and rifle / Searching, dreaming or fighting their way to happiness / But again and again the end of the play is missing / They promise peace and freedom for their country / The effect gets out of hand every time / We still make the world a hell / From Chile and Vietnam to Israel __________ Dutch: Profeten voorspelden Zijn komst jarenlang / Men zorgde voor sterren en engelenzang / Zelfs de wijzen verhuisden van Oost naar West / Maar na zijn vertrek liep de show niet zo best / Hij beloofde vrede en vrijheid voor zijn land / Het effect liep achteraf wat uit de hand / Wij maken de wereld nog steeds tot een hel / Van Chili en Vietnam tot Israël / Na hem kwamen anderen met een eigen leer / Verdedigen liefde of kanon en geweer / Zoeken dromend of vechtend hun weg naar 't geluk / Maar telkens ontbreekt weer het slot van het stuk / Zij beloven vrede en vrijheid voor hun land / Her effect loopt elke keer weer uit de hand / Wij maken de wereld nog steeds tot een hel / Van Chili en Vietnam tot Israël

Notes

Kleinkunst - "Dutch-language genre from the Netherlands and Flanders with influences from Cabaret, protest songs, Chanson, and folk". Cardinal International C. 3306 (C 3306 A), stereo, SABAM, made in Belgium by Fonopers; "Chili – Vietnam – Israel" (H. Elegast), 2'35. The picture sleeve shows a large pink skull with "De Elegasten" and "Kermis in de hel" lettered around it, and "Chili Vietnam Israel" with the I drawn as a lit candle. [From the record sleeve and labels]

About the artist

Group formed in 1967 in Belgium. Disbanded 12 July 1976. It featured Ivan Poppe, Paul Poppe, Ray Poppe, Riet Bracke, and Herman Van Caekenberghe.

Themes

Anti-War · Chile (Cold War) · Israel

In collections

European Songs · Peace, Protest, & Anti-War Songs [War Years]