Langenhoven’s Lullaby For Liefstetjie

Originally called Afrikaanse Wiegeliedjie,
the author changed every noun into its
diminutive, little darling, little thief of
mother’s heart, little tree, little stream

He even turned verbs into diminutives:
‘advancing’ becomes ‘nadertjies’ and
‘coming’ becomes ‘kommetjies’ – it is
the most enchanting lullaby

Charmingly called ‘Wiegeliedjie’ in
Afrikaans, Stef Bos the well-known
Dutch singer had tears in his eyes
as he sang it once, the song stole

His European heart, as it stole mine
when my mother sang it to us every
night…