Zolanger mensen zijn = As Long As Earth Sustains All People , 1959 - 1985

This was the first significant song which Oosterhuis had published while studying literature at Groningen. He had been invited to write new songs in Dutch for evening worship at the Jesuit campus ministry. In addition to being influenced by e.e. cummings, he fell under the political sway of Che Guevara. He harmonized both with his ongoing biblical studies. To date, there were no liturgical songbooks in Dutch, apart from collections of pious songs and sacramental hymns, none of which were part of the official Roman Catholic Liturgy. Also during those early days, he wrote Mary's Song, a setting of the Magnificat. Oosterhuis in those early days chose his musical settings from the traditional Protestant repertoire, which Huijbers would then arrange.