Dutch Freak Over 'Imbecilic' New Royal Song

So much for a beloved new royal anthem. As the Netherlands' crown prince, Willem-Alexander, prepares to ascend the throne, a British-born composer wrote an official song to mark the occasion. But instead of celebrating, some 38,000 people have signed an online petition utterly rejecting the tune, performed by 51 different musicians. "In protest at this imbecilic King's Song, I hereby resign as a citizen of the Netherlands," the petition says. Now composer John Ewbank has withdrawn his work, the BBC reports.

"This song is like North Korean propaganda," wrote one opponent. The Independent offers a lyrical sampling from "Koningslied": "I build a dyke with my bare hands and keep the water away," it goes. "I'll keep you safe for as long as I live." It's not just the lyrics that are bothering people: The blend of easy listening, folk, and rap is "overproduced" and the rapping is "dreadful," say listeners. Still, it hit the top of the Netherlands' iTunes chart. (More Netherlands stories.)