De Boswachters

De Boswachters formed during the 1960s folk revival in the Netherlands, with members Broeder Dieleman, Broeder Oisterwijk, and Broeder Utrecht. They started playing in small cafes, drawing from traditional Dutch storytelling. Their 1973 album 'Den Witten Vos' included what would become their best-known track, "'t Grote Boswachterslied."

Their sound mixed older folk melodies with some contemporary pop touches, which wasn't always welcomed at first. They kept at it, and songs like "Allosie," "Bomen In 't Bos," and "Het Bananenlied" became part of their regular set. The group positioned themselves as keepers of Dutch folk traditions, a role they've maintained for decades.

While the existing history makes grand claims about their legacy, the concrete pieces are simpler: three musicians playing folk music since the 1960s, a handful of albums, and a song that stuck around. They're still sometimes called the 'Guardians of Dutch Folk Music,' a title that fits their long-running focus on that material.