Songs Archive — Kleurrijke Mama's Tilburg

Song for Meltem

Composer: Astrid Seriese • Year: 2023 • Theme: What is your dream?

Listen to the song

Duration: 3:24

Lyrics

[First verse]
Where do you come from, little dream?
What do you bring, what do you take?
In your eyes I see a world
That is yet to come, that is yet to be

[Chorus]
Meltem, Meltem, your name means wind
That blows across borders, that brings freedom
Your dream is big, your heart is strong
You build tomorrow, every day again

[Second verse]
Your story is unique, your path is new
But you are not alone, we are here too
Together we sing your dream
Together we make it come true

The story behind the song

"Song for Meltem" was created during one of our weekly meetings where we talk about our dreams and ambitions. Meltem, one of our singers, shared her story about her dream to start her own business while maintaining her cultural roots.

The word "Meltem" means "wind" in Turkish, and this inspired Astrid Seriese to compose a song about the power of dreams and how they can carry us across borders. The song is about finding your own path, maintaining your identity, and the belief that dreams can become reality.

During rehearsals with Louise Donker, we discovered how powerful it is to sing each other's stories. The song has grown into one of our most beloved compositions and is often sung as the closing of our performances.

Foundation

Composer: Astrid Seriese • Year: 2023 • Theme: Why did you come here?

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Duration: 4:12

Lyrics

[First verse]
I build a foundation
Stone by stone, day by day
On new ground
But with old roots deep

[Chorus]
Foundation, foundation
What I stand on, what I am from
Family, friendship, love
That is my foundation

[Second verse]
I came here for a new beginning
But brought my story with me
My culture, my language, my heart
That makes who I am

The story behind the song

"Foundation" is a song that emerged from conversations about why women came to the Netherlands. During our meetings, different women shared their stories: some came for work, others for family, still others for freedom and new opportunities.

The central theme of the song is that, although we build on new ground, we bring our roots with us. Our family, culture, and experiences form the foundation on which we build our new lives. The song celebrates both the courage to migrate and the strength of maintaining your identity.

Astrid Seriese's composition combines different musical influences, reflecting the diversity of the choir. Louise Donker has taught the song in such a way that each voice maintains its own color, while together they form a powerful whole.

Where do you come from?

Composer: Astrid Seriese • Year: 2022 • Theme: Where do you come from?

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Duration: 3:45

Lyrics

[First verse]
Where do you come from?
A question I often hear
My answer is long
Because I come from everywhere
From distant lands, from nearby
From stories and memories

[Chorus]
I come from where the sun rises
And where the sea kisses the coast
I come from where my mother sang
And where my father laughed
Where do you come from?
I come from everywhere

[Second verse]
My home is not one place
But many places together
My heart knows many languages
My soul knows many colors

The story behind the song

This song is one of the first compositions that emerged from our conversations about identity and origin. The question "Where do you come from?" is a complex question for many women in the choir. The answer is often not simple, because identity consists of multiple layers.

During a writing workshop, different women wrote about their experiences with this question. Some felt reduced to their country of origin, others wanted to share their entire story. Astrid Seriese brought these different perspectives together in a song that celebrates both the complexity and beauty of multiple identities.

The song often opens with a solo by one of the singers in her native language, after which the choir joins in. This symbolizes how individual stories come together into a collective story.

New Day

Composer: Astrid Seriese • Year: 2024 • Theme: What is your dream?

Listen to the song

Duration: 3:58

Lyrics

[First verse]
Every morning is a new day
A new chance, a new beginning
The sun rises, the world wakes up
And so do I, with new courage

[Chorus]
New day, new chances
New dreams, new plans
I get up and I go on
With hope in my heart

[Second verse]
Yesterday is past
Tomorrow is yet to come
Today is now
And today I make it come true

The story behind the song

"New Day" is an optimistic and hopeful song that emerged during a period when several women in the choir were facing challenges. The song is about the power of a new day and the belief that each day offers new possibilities.

The idea for this song came during a meeting where we talked about how we deal with difficult times. Different women shared how they draw strength from the realization that each day is a new chance. This inspired Astrid to create a composition that is both personal and universal.

The song is often sung at the beginning of rehearsals, as a way to create positive energy and remind each other of the strength we have together.