Penner is a singer, composer, songwriter, writer, author, and TV host. A gentle giant with kind eyes and an undeniable ability to make you feel good about yourself, this musical master brings 25 years of commitment, consistency and depth to a career that skillfully blends the many genres of performing and communication. Dubbed "Mr. Multi-Media" by Billboard Magazine, his diverse repertoire includes a prolific 12 Children’s Albums, countless energetically packed live shows for throngs of eager audiences across North America, composing the music for APTN/YTV’s Tipi Tales, and writing the score and hosting the TV documentary The Simple Way (focused on the relevant, world-wide topic of voluntary simplicity). He has, without a doubt, established himself as a fundamental part of the North American family entertainment scene. And whether it’s through CDs, videos, books or television, his cornerstone philosophy remains the same: absolute trust that his work can make a difference.
The first children’s entertainer to headline at the Los Angeles Amphitheater, this four time recipient of the Parents’ Choice Award and the man Los Angeles Parent called the "Canadian Minister of Positivity" has successfully transformed children’s entertainment into a family affair. Offering his broad talents to speak to the family unit and express his feelings about where the world is going and what children are learning. A devoted father of four and husband of 25 years who describes meeting his wife Odette as "love at first sight", Fred credits her dream to start a children’s dance theatre program as the catalyst that propelled him into this career. Lessons learned through the challenges and rewards of parenthood are translated into all that he does.
His pre-music experience working with troubled youth set the stage for what was to come; providing an understanding of the trauma of child abuse and the ability of music to heal. Those learnings, along with the untimely passing of his 12- year-old sister with Down’s Syndrome and subsequent passing of his father a year later, sparked a period of deep soul-searching and life-changing decisions. Inspired by his sister’s pure love of music, the man who had planned to become an economist, made a choice to become a performer. Lucky for us, he did.
More than the music, the two-time Juno winner (equivalent of a Grammy) for Best Children’s Album Sing with Fred and eight-time nominee’s body of work is about energy and emotional connection. The guy who crawled magically out of that hollow log for 12 seasons and nearly 900 episodes in the hit CBC TV show Fred Penner’s Place receives fan mail to this day from some of the 55 million American viewers where the show ran for four years on the U.S.’s
Nickelodeon. Always building on a common theme rooted in integrity and a "belief in what I can do" he has created a lasting impact that crosses the generations and continues to grow.
From the small screen to the live stage; from writing songs to composing scores; this seasoned performer’s ability to blend his considerable talents has garnered critical acclaim and a host of awards. Like the precious ingredients in your favourite feel good soup, his combination of warmth, ease, enthusiasm and grace bring nourishment too often lacking in these turbulent times.
In 2000, the Canadian Institute of Child Health honoured Fred for his contribution to the well-being and safety of children. He is also a humble recipient of the Order of Canada, the highest recognition given to a Canadian citizen. One of his albums, Happy Feet was named Best Children’s Album of the Year by the U.S.A’s Entertainment Weekly and he is the first ever winner of the Prairie Music Award for Outstanding Children’s Recording.
His visibility has allowed him the privilege and joy of using his voice to "bring something of value" as a spokesperson for organizations like UNESCO, World Vision, UNICEF and the National Conference on Down Syndrome, which he chaired. In 2005, Fred journeyed to Zambia, Africa with World Vision to host a program for Child Sponsorship in the Western World.
Here and now, the family entertainer called "an American hero" by Long Island Parenting News is planning to expand his writing and performing abilities more into the genres of film and theatre. With extensive stage experience, including serious drama (Death of a Salesman), musicals (The Music Man) and family theatre (Captain Hook in Peter Pan to name just one), he looks forward to more involvement in the acting side of the film world. In addition, he looks to creating a new family album of "strong songs, with strong messages for the family and child" that speaks to what’s happening in the world and the importance of positive messages in these trying times.
Standing on an already firm footing in television and always excited about where the mystical journey will take him next, Fred is also making room for the possibility of another series or documentary.
A humanitarian always conscious of the "delicate balance required to create a positive influence that fosters healthy self-esteem in the life of a child", his work is infused with a steadfast commitment to communicating with children and families in a clear, non-condescending way. "More than just fun", this multi-talented artist has the wisdom and humility to know that the importance and the meaning of what he does can reach deeply into the lives of others.
Winken Blinken & Nod
Fred Penner Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sailed off on a wooden shoe
Sailed down a river of crystal light
Into a sea of dew
Now where are you going and what do you wish?
The old moon asked the three
Well we're going out fishing for Herring fish
And some silver and gold have we
Said, Winken and Blinken and Nod
The old moon laughed and sang a song
As they rocked in their wooden shoe
And the wind that sped them all night long
Ruffled the waves of dew
While the little stars were the Herring fish
That lived in the beautiful sea
Now cast your nets wherever you wish
Never a feared are we
So sang the stars to the fishermen three
Winken and Blinken and Nod
All night long their nets they threw
To the stars in the twinkling foam
Then down from the skies came the wooden shoe
Bringing the fishermen home
T'was all so pretty a sight it seemed
As if it could not be
And some folks thought t'was a dream
They dreamed of sailing the beautiful sea
But I shall name you the fishermen three
Winken and Blinken and Nod
Now Winken and Blinken are two little eyes
And Nod is a little head
And the wooden shoe that sailed the skies
Is a wee one's trundle bed
So close your eyes while mother sings
Of the beautiful sights that be
And you will see the wonderful things
As you rock in your misty sea
Where the old moon rocked the fishermen three
Winken and Blinken and Nod
The lyrics of Fred Penner's song Winken Blinken & Nod bring us to a dreamy world of three fishermen who sailed off one night on a wooden shoe and traveled along a river of crystal light into a sea of dew. The old moon asked where they were going and what they wished, and they answered that they were going out fishing for Herring fish that lived in the beautiful sea, carrying silver and gold with them. As they sailed, the old moon laughed and sang, and the wind ruffled the waves of dew. The little stars were the Herring fish they fished all night long, and the stars sang them songs to never fear wherever they cast their nets. Finally, the fishermen returned home on their wooden shoe, and it turned out to be a trundle bed of a little child's who were traveling in their dreams.
The song implies a dream-like world that exists in everyone's childhood, where imaginary boats glide through the mystical rivers of light and little eyes, the Winken, and Blinken, and Nod, represent the innocence of childhood. The song creates a magical world with characters that represent elements of dreams and reality, and it hints at the connection between dreaming and exploring the unknown. The old moon symbolizes the wisdom that guides the dreamers who embark on a journey to find treasures, and the stars sing encouraging melodies to assure the fishermen that they have nothing to fear.
Line by Line Meaning
Winken and Blinken and Nod one night
Two little eyes and a little head went to bed one night
Sailed off on a wooden shoe
Fell asleep in a little trundle bed
Sailed down a river of crystal light
Fell asleep under a night light
Into a sea of dew
Entered into a peaceful slumber
Now where are you going and what do you wish?
The mother asks the child where they want to go in their dreams
The old moon asked the three
The moon shines light into the bedroom
Well we're going out fishing for Herring fish
The child imagines going fishing in the sea
That live in the beautiful sea
The child dreams of catching silver and gold fish
And some silver and gold have we
The child tells the mother about the fish they plan to catch
The old moon laughed and sang a song
The moon shines its light and lulls the child to sleep
As they rocked in their wooden shoe
As they drifted off to sleep in their trundle bed
And the wind that sped them all night long
The gentle breeze in the bedroom gently rocks the trundle bed
Ruffled the waves of dew
Caused the child's blankets to rustle and move slightly
While the little stars were the Herring fish
The child imagines the stars in the sky as fish in the sea
That lived in the beautiful sea
The child continues to dream about the sea
Now cast your nets wherever you wish
The stars encourage the child to keep exploring their imagination
Never a feared are we
The child feels safe and unafraid in their dreams
So sang the stars to the fishermen three
The stars continue to entertain the child with their songs
All night long their nets they threw
The child continues to explore their imagination all night long
To the stars in the twinkling foam
The child imagines throwing a net to catch the stars in the sky
Then down from the skies came the wooden shoe
The child imagines the trundle bed descending from the sky
Bringing the fishermen home
Returning the child safely back to their bedroom
T'was all so pretty a sight it seemed
The child's dreams were filled with beautiful sights
As if it could not be
The child marvels at the wonders of their imagination
And some folks thought t'was a dream
Adults may not understand the child's vivid imagination
They dreamed of sailing the beautiful sea
The child continues to dream and explore their imagination
But I shall name you the fishermen three
The mother reminds the child that they are the ones in control of their dreams
Winken and Blinken and Nod
Referring to the child and their two little eyes
Now Winken and Blinken are two little eyes
Reiterating that the two eyes belong to the child
And Nod is a little head
Referring to the child's head which is resting on the pillow
And the wooden shoe that sailed the skies
The trundle bed that the child imagines as a boat
Is a wee one's trundle bed
Reminding the child that what they imagine is their own little world
So close your eyes while mother sings
The mother will sing the child to sleep
Of the beautiful sights that be
The mother sings about the beauty of the dream world
And you will see the wonderful things
The child will continue to explore their vivid imagination
As you rock in your misty sea
The child will gently drift off to sleep in their trundle bed
Where the old moon rocked the fishermen three
The moon shines a light on the child's imagination
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: LUCY SIMON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind