De Höhner (Kölsch for The Chickens, pronounced [də ˈhøˑnɐ], German: [də ˈhøːnɐ]), sometimes [də ˈhœːnɐ]) is a band from Cologne, Germany. They sing in the local dialect of Cologne, Kölsch.
The group was founded in 1972 by Peter Werner and Janus Fröhlich. During their first year, the band wore chicken costumes, and threw real feathers into the audience.
They are particularly successful in the area around Cologne, although they are popular nationwide. The band is famous for performing at the Cologne carnival. Their most popular carnival songs are "Echte Fründe", "Pizza wunderbar", "Die Karawane zieht weiter" and "Viva Colonia".
Their song "Wenn nicht jetzt, wann dann?" (If not now, then when?) reached number one in Germany in February 2007. They performed it during the 2007 World Men's Handball Championship finals, held in Cologne.
Their album Da Simmer Dabei! Die Grössten Partyhits was on the German top 50 albums chart for 8 weeks in 2007, peaking at number 9. The title is a reference to the chorus of the song "Viva Colonia".
Every year along about this time it all goes dry
Nothing round for love or money that'll get you high.
Henry got pissed off and he run to Mexico
See if he could come back holdin' 29 keys of Gold.
Now the road to Acapulco is very hard indeed
And it isn't any better if you haven't any weed.
Henry struggled to hold it straight on twisty mountain roads
Fifty people waitin' back in hopes for Henry's load.
chorus:
Now he's rolling down the mountain goin' fast, fast, fast
And if he blows it this one's going to be his last
Run to Acapulco to turn the Golden Key
Henry keeps the brakes on for this corner if you please.
Henry got to Mexico and he turned his truck around
Talkin' with the man who has it growin' from the ground
Henry tasted, he got wasted, couldn't even see
How he's going to drive like that it's not clear to me.
CHORUS
Sunday afternoon, Tihajuana is a lovely town
Bullfight brings the tourist in, their money flowing down
Border guards are much too busy there at 5 o'clock
Henry truckin' right on through, he hardly even stopped.