Music composed by Enno Hector  

This so-called Ostfriesenlied was composed by an Ostfriesen born writer, Enno Hector.  After earning his Doctor's degree in Literature, he spent much of his life in Nürnberg as a writer, poet, and clandestine social critic. 

He was born in Dornum and died in Nürnberg.  He was also one of the first to use Low German in his writings and one of the first to translate the Bible into his homeland dialect.  Despite his early religious education he was influenced by the aftermath of the Revolution in France and became an advocate for democracy and a free-thinker.  The melody is especially haunting and melancholic. 

The following song was sent to us from new Canadian members Fred and Annemarie Arends. The late George W. Heikes  had a copy of the music and translated some of the song into English.   Gene Janssen translated more of the song into English with the music.

This is just the first verse, there are more than 20 more!
It is sung at every important event.

In Ostfreesland is’t am Besten,

Over Ostfreeslan geiht der nix.

War sund wall de Wichter mojer,

Wall de Jungse wall so fix.

In Ostfreesland mag ik wesen

Anners nargens lever wesen,

Over Freesland geiht der nix,

Over Freesland geiht der nix.

Lyrics by Johannes Koenen

English translation of some of the verses is as follows:

       Our Ostfriesland is the best

        She excels all the rest.

        How my heart longs to be there,

        No other land is quite so fair.

        There is nothing, nothing better

        Than this land where dikes stand tall,

        Where against the dunes and islands    

        Unceasingly the breakers fall.

        Where the North Sea rumbles always,

        Where the tide runs twice a day.

        Where the three-mast schooners,

        Sail upon our Dollart Bay.

        Nowhere grows the grass so green,

        Nowhere are the farms so fine,

        Nowhere are the cows so sleek

        Nowhere is the soil so prime.

        Nowhere is the sausage better,

        Than from our housewife's recipe.

        Butter, cheese, and buttermilk whey.

        That is where I long to be.

        In this land the Turf for fuel

        Is brought from distant Fehns.

        Winter's ice brings joy to all,

        How we love our Christmas scenes!

        Here we play our happy field games.

        Here the Buckwheat farmers rest a while.

        Here our laddies gambol freely

        Here our girls are without guile.

        When far from home I wish so often,

        To be once more by Mother's stove

        To hear again her kitchen sounds

        Then from her hearth I'd never rove.               

       For Ostfriesland! For Ostfriesland!

        I'd gladly give my blood and life.

        Take me back to dear Ostfriesland

        There may I end my daily strife.

 (Gene Janssen, translator)