Aan de Amsterdamse grachten

[2] Aan de Amsterdamse grachtenheb ik heel mijn hart voor altijd verpand.Amsterdam vult mijn gedachten,als de mooiste stad in ons land.Al die Amsterdamse mensen,al die lichtjes 's avonds laat op het plein.Niemand kan zich beter wensendan een Amsterdammer te zijn.

No one could wish for anything better than to be an Amsterdammer") Goemans was inspired to write the song in 1949 while walking across the bridge where the Prinsengracht and the Leidsegracht intersect.

[3] Goemans published the song under a pseudonym, Peter Shott;[4] he was a diplomat's son and his father allowed him to be associated with the popular music industry only if he did so under an assumed name.

A page dedicated to the song on the web site of the Amsterdam City Archives plays that first released recording.

[3] It was covered by foreigners as well, including Belgian singer Louis Neefs,[5] and by experimental jazz musician Willem Breuker.