About The Song
John Denver’s “Amsterdam” is more than just a song; it’s a vivid, nostalgic portrait of a city that has captured the imaginations of countless travelers. Released in 1970 as part of his album Take Me To Tomorrow, this folk classic offers a unique blend of lively imagery and introspective musings.
Denver’s lyrics paint a colorful picture of Amsterdam, focusing on its vibrant nightlife, its eclectic characters, and its rich history. The song opens with a lively portrayal of the city’s bustling port, where “sailors all meet.” Denver’s choice of words and imagery immediately transports the listener to a bustling, maritime atmosphere. The city’s diverse population is also highlighted, with references to “sailors who eat only fish heads and tails” and the “rancid sound of the accordion’s burst.”
These vivid descriptions, while perhaps exaggerated for dramatic effect, create a sense of authenticity and invite the listener to picture the scenes Denver is describing. The image of “haunches bursting their pants, grinding women to paunch” is particularly striking and adds a touch of humor to the song.
However, beneath the lively surface, “Amsterdam” also contains a more somber undertone. The references to “drunken down fights” and “spitting the night with the roar of their jokes” suggest a darker side to the city’s nightlife. This contrast between the city’s vibrant energy and its underlying darkness is a common theme in many of Denver’s songs.
The song’s musical arrangement further enhances its storytelling. The use of a driving rhythm and a variety of instruments creates a sense of movement and energy, perfectly capturing the bustling atmosphere of Amsterdam. Denver’s warm, folksy vocals provide a comforting and familiar presence, inviting the listener to relax and enjoy the journey.
John Denver’s “Amsterdam” is a timeless classic that continues to resonate with audiences of all ages. Through his vivid imagery and evocative lyrics, Denver captures the essence of a city that has fascinated people for centuries. Whether you’ve visited Amsterdam or simply dream of doing so, this song offers a unique and unforgettable perspective on this iconic city.
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Lyric
In the port of Amsterdam there’s a sailor who singsOf the dreams that he brings from the wide open sea.In the port of Amsterdam there’s a sailor who sleepsWhile the river bank weeps to the old willow tree.In the port of Amsterdam there’s a sailor who diesFull of beer, full of cries in a drunkin’ down fight.But in the port of Amsterdam there’s a sailor who’s bornOn a muggy, hot morn by the dawns early light.In the port of Amsterdam where the sailors all meetThere’s a sailor who eats only fish-heads and tails.He will show you his teeth that have rotted too soon.That can swallow the moon that can haul up the sails.And he asks to the cook with his arms open wide.Bring me more fish, put it down by my side.And he wants so to belch, but he’s too full to try.So he gets up and he laughs and he zips up his fly.In the port of Amsterdam you can see sailors dance.Haunches bursting their pants, binding woman to paunch.They’ve forgotten the tune that their whiskey voice croaks.And they’re aplitting the night with the roar of their jokes.And they turn and they dance and they laugh and they lust.To the rats it sounds of the accordion burst.Then it’s out into the night with their pride in their pants.With a slut that they tow underneath the street lamps.In the port of Amsterdam there’s a sailor who drinks.And he drinks and he drinks and he drinks once again.He drinks to the health of the whores of Amsterdam.Who have promised their love to a thousand other men.And they darken their bodies and their virtue long goneFor a few dirty coins. And then when he can’t go onHe plants his nose in the sky And he wipes it up aboveAnd he splits like I cry for an unfaithful love.In the port of Amsterdam.In the port of Amsterdam.In the port of Amsterdam.