[So dear to me, beloved homeland]

Composer: Kees Boeke

Boeke, Kees. (1884-1966). Dutch nationality. Studied in England, married Beatrice (Betty) Cadbury. Active peace worker during World War I. Expelled from England for antiwar propaganda. Built Broederschaphuis (Brotherhood House), a conference hall, in 1918 in Bilthover, Holland. Co-founder in 1919 of Christian International, a peace movement. Often imprisoned, sometimes with his wife, for refusal to pay taxes that conflicted with his conscience. Both tried to give up all claim to their inherited wealth, finally gave it all away. Songs taken from Liederen en Geschriften (Bilthoven, 1918-1922, Sannerz & Leipzig, 1918-1922), translated into German by members of the Bruderhof in 1923. --Marlys Swinger, DNAH Archives Go to person page >