Ode to Naatje van de DamHer name is known to everyone
Statue of Naatje on Dam Square, now demolished, photo Johannes Cornelis Steenbergh, RCE
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Naatje van de Dam, officially De Eendracht, was a monument that stood opposite the Palace on Dam Square from 1865 to 1914. It was a commemoration of the 10 Days' Campaign, Dutch unity and symbol of the people's spirit. The statue became a female figure of nearly four meters, the Dutch Virgin.
The people of Amsterdam soon called her Naatje van de Dam. The statue fell into disrepair after only a few years due to frost and rain. In 1914, the statue was removed because the streetcar tracks on Dam Square were being moved. A popular song arose with the refrain; Now Naatje goes away sad. O, noje, le heine she must disappear. Now Naatje goes from Dam Square, she must leave for the Electric Tram!
NAATJE NEVER EXISTED BUT HER NAME EVERYBODY KNOWS
..thanks to the humor of the people of Amsterdam!
