Jan Pierewiet
This is a South African barn dance song from the times of ox wagons and the Great Trek.
"In the last years of primary school during physical education, we danced this and other Afrikaans folk songs as circle/line dances, a little like the idea of a barn dance." -Frances
Jan Pierewiet
Jan Pierewiet
Barn Dance Song
Barn Dance Song
(Afrikaans)
(English)
1. Jan Pierewiet, Jan Pierewiet,
Jan Pierewiet staan stil.
2. Jan Pierewiet, Jan Pierewiet,
Jan Pierewiet staan stil.
3. Goeie môre, my vrou,
Hier's 'n soentjie vir jou*.
4. Goeie môre, my man,
Daar is koffie in die kan.
1. Jan Pierewiet, Jan Pierewiet,
Jan Pierewiet stand still.
2. Jan Pierewiet, Jan Pierewiet,
Jan Pierewiet stand still.
3. Good morning my wife,
Here's a kiss for your life.
4. Good morning my man,
There is coffee in the can.
Notes
*This line is commonly written as, "Goeie môre my vrou, hier's 'n soentjie vir jou", meaning literally, "Good morning, my wife, here's a kiss for you."
In the song, "Jan Pierewiet" is the name of a man.
"The bird called the bokmakierie (pronounced bowk-ma-kee-ree), makes a call that sounds a little like 'Jan Pierewiet'." -Frances
Game Instructions
How to Dance to Jan Pierewiet:
1. A boy and a girl link arms and go around in a circle.
2. Then they link the opposite arms and go around in the opposite direction.
3. The boy bows to the girl.
4. The girl curtsies and holds out her arm to the side indicating the "coffee can".
Thanks!
Thanks!
Thanks!
Thanks and Acknowledgements
Many thanks to Frances Turnbull from Musicaliti for contributing and translating this song and for commenting on it. Thanks to Monique for the illustration.
Baie dankie!
