Perhaps most famously, Van Veen was the creator of the Alfred Jodocus Kwak children's animation series of worldwide fame. Van Veen is an ambassador for UNICEF Nederland and a founding member of Colombine, Stichting Alfred Jodocus Kwak, Stichting Roos, and the Herman van Veen Foundation. All of these foundations are active for children's rights. In 2004 he received the World Peace Flame, a symbol of peace, freedom, unity and truth, inspired by the eternal flame, burning at the residence of Mahatma Gandhi. Since 2005 Herman van Veen has been ambassador for the 'Music in the Middle East' foundation.
In the 1960s, Van Veen studied the violin, singing and theory of musical education at Utrecht Conservatory. His career as a recording artist started in 1968. Some of his biggest Dutch hits are Opzij (1979), Hilversum 3 (1984), Anne (1986), Zo vrolijk (1986), Toveren (1987) and Blauwe plekken (1990), but he very rarely performs them live anymore. Most of his theatre concerts focus on recent material, as there always is plenty of it.
Amsterdam's famous Carré theatre is Van Veen's 'second home': he has more than 600 headline Carré shows to his name.
Van Veen lives with his wife Gaetane Bouchez, a female dancer, in Soest, The Netherlands. He has four children from previous mariages.
Harlekijnlied
Herman van Veen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Flubblregabba stobblegabba flibblrigabba stikkiedikkiedropdrop
Stabbagabba flubblragabba stubdragabba flibbrerigabba
Stikkiedikkie hopstapsnee reldeldee
Kestikkiedikkiefloepstikkeflakstikkeflee
Keflangflangflikflakflikflak stikkiedikkiedroepdroep
Stikkedikkedrapdrap floebblegabba snobblegabba flabbegabbadro
Drapbree drabbeflubblegabbasnabbagamdee
Snubblekappa floebblekappa stikstakstikstak plokplakplikplak
Stikkiedikkiedree druimdruimdruim hopsikkieduim
Flikflakflakstikkiedikkiefloot dropsnarenbotervloot
Dobbedegobbligam wobblagabba flibbleligabba
Stikkiedikkiepokkepakkapikstaksnee rikstakstakdikkiedikkiedee
Dropdropdropdee drabbadrabbragamam oh!
Befloebbligabba stubbligabba flimdrigabba
Stikkiedikkiedromdrom snabblagabba flubblragabba
Stubblragabba flikkedikkedikkiepakkepokpaksnee reldeldee
Kestikkedikkefloepstikkeflakstikkeflee
Keflangflakflikflakflikflak stikkiedikkiedroepdroep drapdrap
Floebblegabba snobblegabbadee druimdro drabbafloebbligabba
Stalikdamflee
Floebblrigabba snoebblrigabba floebbligabba stikkedikkepompam
Stikstakfukketakkepree druimdruimdruimstikkiedikkiebro
Brabbrabbrabstikkiedikkiebrood flonflorenknarenknoot
Frabbledubbligambabbagabbafibbligabba stikkietikkie
Pokkepakkapikkepakpikstak rikraktakstikkiedikkiespikspak
Frapfropfropfree dabbadabbligamam oh!
Befloebbligabba stoebbligabba floebbligabba
Stikkiedikkiedromdrom snabblagabba flubblragabba
Stubblragabba flubblragabba stikkedikkiehopstapsnee reldeldee
Kestikkedikkehoepstikkehapstikkehee
Keflangflakflikflakflikflak stikkiedikkiedroepdroep
Stikkedikkedrapdrap floebblegabba stoebblegabba ballagabbabo
Drapdro drabbafloebbligabba stabbegamdee
Hiahoharle harlekijn
© Muziek: A. Caldara Transcriptie: E. Leerkes
The lyrics to Herman van Veen's song Harlekijnlied are a nonsensical string of syllables that do not have any clear meaning or message. The repetition of sounds and rhythms creates a playful and whimsical tone, evocative of a child's babbling or a clown's antics. The incorporation of musical onomatopoeia, such as "stikkiedikkie" and "flibbleligabba," adds to the playful nature of the song, making it an enjoyable and lighthearted tune.
The use of nonsense language in this song can be interpreted as a celebration of creativity and imagination. By breaking away from traditional song structures and lyrics, van Veen is able to create something unique and memorable. The inclusion of the word "harlequin" in the title also adds to this idea of playfulness and whimsy, as harlequin is a character traditionally associated with comedy and silliness.
Overall, while the lyrics to Harlekijnlied may not hold any concrete interpretation, they serve as a fun and entertaining example of the creativity and playfulness that can be found in music.
Line by Line Meaning
Flubbligab snobbligab flopflapflee
Nonsensical sounds meant to evoke childish playfulness and set the tone for the rest of the song.
Flubblregabba stobblegabba flibblrigabba stikkiedikkiedropdrop
More playful language that is likely meant to be enjoyed for its sound and rhythm rather than any specific meaning.
Stabbagabba flubblragabba stubdragabba flibbrerigabba
Continuation of the sound play and nonsensical language. There is no clear meaning to these phrases.
Stikkiedikkie hopstapsnee reldeldee
More playful language that follows the pattern established earlier in the song. These phrases are not meant to be coherent or meaningful on their own.
Kestikkiedikkiefloepstikkeflakstikkeflee
Another example of nonsensical language meant to evoke a sense of playfulness and fun. These phrases do not have any specific meaning.
Keflangflangflikflakflikflak stikkiedikkiedroepdroep
More invented language that follows from the earlier verses. These phrases are all about the sound and rhythm, rather than any specific meaning.
Stikkedikkedrapdrap floebblegabba snobblegabba flabbegabbadro
Continuation of the playful and nonsensical language. These phrases are meant to be fun and silly, rather than meaningful.
Drapbree drabbeflubblegabbasnabbagamdee
More playful language that continues the tone established earlier. These phrases are meant to be silly and not meaningful.
Snubblekappa floebblekappa stikstakstikstak plokplakplikplak
More playful language that does not have any specific meaning. The emphasis is on the sounds and rhythms, rather than the words themselves.
Stikkiedikkiedree druimdruimdruim hopsikkieduim
More playful language that follows the same pattern established earlier in the song. These phrases are not meant to be meaningful on their own.
Flikflakflakstikkiedikkiefloot dropsnarenbotervloot
Nonsensical language that is meant to be playful and fun. There is no specific meaning to these phrases.
Dobbedegobbligam wobblagabba flibbleligabba
More silly language that does not have any specific meaning. These phrases are meant to evoke a sense of childlike playfulness.
Stikkiedikkiepokkepakkapikstaksnee rikstakstakdikkiedikkiedee
Another example of playful language that follows from the earlier verses. These phrases do not have any specific meaning, but they are meant to be fun and lighthearted.
Dropdropdropdee drabbadrabbragamam oh!
More fun language that is nonsensical and not meant to be taken seriously. The emphasis is on creating a playful, enjoyable atmosphere.
Befloebbligabba stubbligabba flimdrigabba
Continuation of the earlier verses. These phrases are not meant to be meaningful and are instead about creating a fun and playful atmosphere.
Stikkiedikkiedromdrom snabblagabba flubblragabba
Another example of playful language that is meant to be enjoyed for its sound and rhythm. There is no specific meaning to these phrases.
Stubblragabba flikkedikkedikkiepakkepokpaksnee reldeldee
Continuation of the silly and playful language that is meant to evoke a sense of childlike joyfulness. These phrases are not meant to be meaningful on their own.
Kestikkedikkefloepstikkeflakstikkeflee
More playful language that follows the pattern established earlier in the song. There is no specific meaning to these phrases, but they are meant to be fun and lighthearted.
Keflangflakflikflakflikflak stikkiedikkiedroepdroep drapdrap
Continuation of the playful and nonsensical language. These phrases do not have any specific meaning, but they are meant to be enjoyed for their sound and rhythm.
Floebblegabba snobblegabbadee druimdro drabbafloebbligabba
Continuation of the playful and nonsensical language. These phrases are meant to evoke a sense of childlike fun and joyfulness.
Stalikdamflee
A nonsensical phrase that is meant to be fun and playful. This verse is about the overall tone of the song rather than any specific meaning.
Floebblrigabba snoebblrigabba floebbligabba stikkedikkepompam
Another example of playful language that follows from the earlier verses. These phrases do not have any specific meaning but are instead meant to create a sense of lighthearted fun.
Stikstakfukketakkepree druimdruimdruimstikkiedikkiebro
More playful language that is not meant to be taken seriously. This verse is all about creating a fun and lighthearted atmosphere.
Brabbrabbrabstikkiedikkiebrood flonflorenknarenknoot
Continuation of the playful and nonsensical language. These phrases are not meant to be meaningful on their own but are instead meant to be enjoyed for their sound and rhythm.
Frabbledubbligambabbagabbafibbligabba stikkietikkie
Another example of playful language that follows from the earlier verses. There is no specific meaning to these phrases, but they are meant to be enjoyed for their sound and rhythm.
Pokkepakkapikkepakpikstak rikraktakstikkiedikkiespikspak
Continuation of the silly and nonsensical language. These phrases are not meant to be taken seriously but are instead about creating a fun and playful atmosphere.
Frapfropfropfree dabbadabbligamam oh!
More silly language that is not meant to be taken seriously. The emphasis is on the playful and lighthearted atmosphere created by the song.
Befloebbligabba stoebbligabba floebbligabba
More playful language that is meant to be enjoyed for its sound and rhythm. There is no specific meaning to these phrases.
Stikkiedikkiedromdrom snabblagabba flubblragabba
Continuation of the playful and nonsensical language. These phrases are meant to evoke a sense of joy and merriment rather than any specific meaning.
Stubblragabba flubblragabba stikkedikkiehopstapsnee reldeldee
More playful language that is not meant to be taken seriously. These phrases are all about the sound and rhythm rather than any specific meaning.
Kestikkedikkehoepstikkehapstikkehee
Another example of playful language that is meant to be enjoyed for its sound and rhythm. These phrases do not have any specific meaning in the context of the song.
Stikkedikkedroepdroep
A continuation of the sound play and playful language established earlier in the song. These phrases are not meant to be meaningful on their own.
Stikkedikkedrapdrap floebblegabba stoebblegabba ballagabbabo
Another example of playful language that follows from the earlier verses. These phrases are not meant to be meaningful but are instead about creating a lighthearted, fun atmosphere.
Drapdro drabbafloebbligabba stabbegamdee
The final verse of the song repeats the playful and nonsensical language established earlier. This verse is all about creating a fun and joyful atmosphere.
Hiahoharle harlekijn
A simple phrase that serves as a sort of chorus for the song. It is meant to evoke the idea of a group of people having fun and being playful together.
Contributed by David N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.