VIOLA was composed as a gift for the Swiss Bundespräsidentin 2024 Viola Amherd.
Arranged & Produced by Eliane Amherd.
Engineered by Sean Dixon - Henry Street Recordings and Robert L. Smith - Defy Recordings.
Cover by Lorenz Providoli.
Video by Eliane Delage.
Courtesy of Stadtgemeinde Brig-Glis & Kanton Wallis.
Eliane Amherd - vocals, guitars.
Jackie Coleman - trumpet. Linus Wyrsch - sax.
Manu Koch - keys.
Yoshi Waki - bass.
Sean Dixon - drums
VIOLA Text& Musik Eliane Amherd 2023
Viola das heisst Vilii
Doch es Blüemji isch schi nit
Schi strahlt mit ire Äuge
Doch blauäugig isch schi nit
Vam Wallis chunnt schi wohlbekannt
Vam schönschtu Ort im Alpuland
Jetzt wird schi Präsidentin si
und alli si wer stolz uf schi
Viola, dü hesch sus in der Hand
Viola, d'Regierig va dem Land
Viola, und allne isch bekannt
Dü machsch dini Sach mit Härz und Verstand
Scho früeh deheimu het schi politisiert
Vam Papa hetsch glehrt wiemu e Firma fiehrt
D' Mama het gseit: Blib unabhängig und fri
Meigja wenn dü dine eigund Chef willd si
Mit dum Kollegiumslatin isch nu lang nit am Änd
Ds Friburg hetsch gschtudiert dass schi di Gsetzi kännt
zrugg uf Brig isch de ins Awaltsbüro
Und scho het schi di CVP uf d' Lischta gnu
Steil bärgüf is de mit irer Karriera
Stapi, Nationalrat schi bricht jedi Barriera
Isch Dossiersicher, holt schich d' richtigu Lit
Und näbubi haltutsch schich nu sportlich fit
D' Viola isch schlau und alles geit ra ringer
Mit irum Witz und Charme wicklutsch mänge um de Finger
Erklärt komplexi Sache dass sus jede versteit
Und sogar dum letschtu Gängner der Zwifel vergeit
Und wennd schi frägsch was schi am liebschtu het
De sinds Chäsmagrone oder es Raclette
Am liebschtu uf der Alpa in irum Chalet
Eifach eppis währschafts was willt nu meh
Viola, dü hesch sus in der Hand
Viola, d’ Regierig va dem Land
Viola, und allne isch bekannt
dü machsch dini Sach mit Härz und Verstand
Bim VBS da schätzt mu schi sehr
Der eifach Soldat und d' hochu Tier vam Militer
Und eu wenns nit fer jede het gschtummu
Het schi sogar nu knapp di Jets durchbrungu
D’ Viola isch vam Fach, bringt Biwegig in di Sach
In der Bundeshüs Liga spilt schi jetz di erschti Giga
Partiubergrifund, kollegial, transparänt
Schi nimmt jede Challenge vam Departemänt
Viola, dü hesch sus in der Hand
Viola, d’ Regierig va dem Land
Viola, und allne isch bekannt
Dü machsch dini Sach mit Härz und Verstand
English Translation Irene Walsh
Viola is a violet flower
But delicate she is not
Her eyes may sparkle
But starry-eyed she is not
She hails from Wallis, everybody knows
From the most beautiful place in the Alps, she rose
Now she will be president
We are proud to have her represent
Viola, she has it in her hands
Viola, the governance of this land
Viola, and everybody understands
With head and heart she takes command
As a youngster at home she talked politics already
Her daddy taught her to run a company
Her mama taught her to be confident and free
If you want to be your own boss, missy
Her college Latin will still take her far
She studied in Fribourg to know the law
Practiced in Brig and right away
the CVP named her as a candidate
Quickly she climbed the ladder of her career
Mayor, national council, she broke every barrier
She's well-read and informed, gets the right people on board
And by the way, she even stays fit with sports
Viola is clever and knows how to disarm
She has many wrapped around her finger due to her wit and charm
She explains complex subjects so everyone comprehends
And doubting opponents give up their stands
And when you ask what she likes best
It's mac and cheese or some Raclette
She loves it most in the Alps in her chalet
Something simple and hearty, what more could one crave
Viola, she has it in her hands
Viola, the governance of this land
Viola, and everybody understands
With head and heart she takes command
At the Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports
Simple soldiers to bigwigs give their support
Though not everyone agreed everywhere
She still passed those fighter jets by less then a hair
As the first violin, she knows how things run
She works across party lines and gets things done
She is bipartisan, collegial, and transparent
and tackles every challenge within her department
Viola, she has it in her hands
Viola, the governance of this land
Viola, and everybody understands
With head and heart she takes command