The Dutch word smartlap ('grieve cloth') is derived from false etymology. In the 17th century travelling singers had cloths depicting a sort of comic strips to illustrate their songs. However, these songs were actually more like murder ballads and were not known as 'smartlap'.
The type of sentimental song that is currently known as 'smartlap', derives from the early 20th century. They deal with poverty, alcoholism and illness. A typical example and a current favorite is the song De Vlieger ('The Kite'), by André Hazes, about a boy who ties a letter to his deceased mother to his kite, so she can read it in heaven. .
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