by Amsterdamwest
![](http://s3.amazonaws.com/noise.shoudio.com/waveform/big/6528.png)
-
amsterdamwest 67 plays | All rights reserved
The church was meant for the ('better or privileged citizens') of the canal belt. However, in a later era the 'De Wester' became a symbol for the very poor neighborhood 'De Jordaan'. A song by Louis Davids (sung by Willy Alberti) was played on many funerals.
A free translation of its text:
Oh beautiful West side tower
High in that blue sky
To you I owe my singing
My smile, my last sigh
You know our darkest secrets
Our suffering, our sorrow and much more
You but only chime your carillon
And in silence you look down on us.
When you turn your back to the entrance of the church (the one at the tower) take a right and follow down the Prinsengracht. You will now pass the house of Anne Frank. Take the first bridge on your left (“Leliesluis”) and immediately turn right. After the bridge turn left on to the Egelantiersgracht and turn right in to the 1e Egelantiersdwarsstraat.