''Het Wilhelmus'' (vierstemmig mét orkest) 

Ironic since almost all of the Dutch are atheists

@@bread2512 that's false. A lot of Dutch people are Ietsist. Nonetheless, throughout the whole kingdom the population is still 50% religious.

Catholicism is actually the largest confession in the Netherlands. Over 2 million members

@@Rens1989 shouldn't there be more , while the Dutch are over 17 million.....

@@jsb7975 I don't know about what should or shouldn't, but also the atheist confession continues to gain solid ground in The Netherlands, and Humanism within that confession.

Those with NO Religion are the largest, Roman Catholics and Wonderful Presbyterians are equal, That could have happened in Ireland if the Irish Roman Catholics had supported us Liberal Presbyterians instead of a Massacre in 1798.

Catholics are the second group after non religious people.

I've changed my view of the "oddness" of the words now I've seen a better translation. Still I think some updating would be nice. Maybe loyalty to the King of Spain could be downplayed for loyalty to the Dutch Monarchy?

@@Xfranman The Wilhelmus tells the history of William of Nassau as if said by him. He was a germanic noble but was largely educated at the Spanish court in Brussels and served the Spanish crown under Charles V and later Philip II. However the measures of the Spanish inquisition during Philips II's reign forced him in opposition and led to William becoming a leader of the protestant revolt in the Netherlands. After his murder he became the main hero of the Netherlands, "father of the fatherland". So as an important piece of his life, the loyalty to the king of Spain can't be downplayed.

@@gamerruiter Thank you for that. I did a bit of research and knew a little of the story. My principal attraction was the lovely music often heard instrumentally at state events such a funerals. I'd thought the words might better be rewritten to reflect the modern monarch or the monarchy more generally much as Britain's does. But I'm not Dutch and it's not my national anthem. I very much appreciate your taking time to offer this explanation. Best wishes.

@@Xfranman The Dutch anthem is the oldest in the world. So in my opinion, it would be an eternal sin to rewrite it. The Dutch anthem tells the story about the Dutch struggle for independence from the Spanish Empire from the point of view of William of Orange, the founding father of the Netherlands (and the progenitor of the Dutch royal family, the House of Orange-Nassau). It also tells about William's internal struggles and scruples. He is more or less justifying his actions to God. To understand "the loyalty to the king", you have to understand that people at that time believed that monarchs were monarchs "by the grace of God". So to defy his liege, the king of Spain, was to defy God. So what it's actually saying is more or less like: "I just had to do this for my people, but it's nothing personal. I've always been loyal to you.". The anthem also is acrostic: if you line up the first letters of the 15 verses, you'll get Willem van Nassov (v= Latin u), the name of William of Orange. The Dutch usually sing the first en sixth verse. The sixth verse is less favorably of Spain. 'Tyranny as in "And drive away the tyranny that pierces my hearth" originally referred to Spain. That verse became popular again in WWII with 'tyranny' then referring to Germany.

@@Xfranman 😂 bit of mix 'n matching in the history, you suggest? The words of Het Wilhelmus are no mystery if you understand the historical context of the ballad, its historical accuracy. What seems odd to us now, was so important to remember at the time, that it's in the ballad. To justify Wilhelm's actions to listeners. Remember, ballads & balladeers were like newspapers in those days - this one about Wilhelm. As Prince of Orange, Head of that (small) principality/state the relationship with the King of Spain was made clear. I agree, it's a constant difficulty to the modern reader, especially foreigners. But to adjust history so it's easier to understand might be OK for religious texts, but not history books. How can Dutch people sing of William the Silent's loyalty to a Dutch Monarchy which wasn't established until about 230 years later? Are you serious?

sarto2010 hahaha

Oh, oh. We've a "traditionalist" (malcontent) lurking about. Quick, call "Church Militant". The singular vestment of presbyterial and episcopal office taken from Roman civil authority badges is the stole. The alb came later finding its provenance in the Hebrew (Old) Testament tradition. The cincture, like amice and maniple, is merely a liturgical transposing of practical objects. Thus, no matter how "trendy", zippers are hardly sacrilegious. They are however convenient and therefore modernist, an offshoot, no doubt, of the hated and much reviled Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, breeder of blasphemies vile. One would NEVER catch His Most Eminent Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke (insert multiple letters) so bestrooned beneath his capa magna which no apostle ever wore, saw (on clergy) or likely would have approved of.

You joke... for us in the Cape of Good Hope, Jakarta does not exist. It has always been Batavia. That's where our founder, Jan van Riebeeck, went after he was our governor.

@@johann.9271 Gekoloniserd

@@johann.9271 Dutch empireeeeeeeeeeegekoloniserd

No

@@konyvnyelv. Perché?

the whole reason why the netherlands exists is because of catholic cruelty from spain 💀 reformed protestantism for the win

It was a farewell service for the abdicating queen Beatrix.

as far as I can tell it is on the occassion of the installation of the new Bishop of Haarlem who is also the Bishop of the Catholic chaplains in the Dutch armed forces

You're wrong

dumbass learn your history...

Gaggy Mott Catholicism is the largest religion.

TradOrganist I don't believe it!!

It really matters to what region you're looking at. Traditionally the south has always been catholic whereas the north generally has more protestants than catholics. The north is also the place mostly associated with 'Holland' - such as Amsterdam. In the north, more people don't practice a religion anymore than in the south, which gives you these numbers.

Holland isn't the North, it's the West. But generally below the Rhine people are very much Catholic as you said. And above that much less so.

Dib yes you're right, Holland is the west. You know in the north there are also villages that are very catholic, like in south-east Groningen such as Ter Apel (they really celibrate carnival there as if it were 'below the rivers')