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.
Rosa
Herman Van Veen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
En komt daar drie bedelaars tegen
De eerste is mank
De tweede is blind
De derde kan horen noch spreken
Slaap, mijn kind, over zeeën waait de wind
En ziet daar drie zeilschepen varen
Het tweede gaat zuid
Het derde keert nooit naar de haven
Rosa, Rosa, Rosa, Rosa
Rosa, Rosa
Rosa
Rosa, Rosa, Rosa, Rosa
Rosa, Rosa
Rosa
Slaap, mijn kind, door de hemel waait de wind
En ziet daar drie grote sterren blinken
De eerste ster heet zon
De tweede ster heet maan
De derde schijnt als kerstklokken klinken
Slaap, mijn kind, door ons harte waait de wind
En ziet daar drie rozen ontloken
De eerste heet zij
De tweede is hij
De derde ben jij, is de liefste
Rosa, Rosa, Rosa, Rosa
Rosa, Rosa
Rosa
Rosa, Rosa, Rosa, Rosa
Rosa, Rosa
Rosa
Rosa, Rosa, Rosa, Rosa
Rosa, Rosa
Rosa
Rosa, Rosa, Rosa, Rosa
Rosa, Rosa
Rosa
Herman Van Veen’s song Rosa is a lullaby that is meant to soothe a child to sleep with images of different visions that the wind might bring. The first verse of the song speaks of the wind bringing three beggars, one of whom is lame, another is blind and the third does not hear or speak. This verse is meant to convey the idea that no matter the obstacles that may come one's way in life, with the right mindset, one can still find a way to navigate and overcome them.
The second verse talks about the wind over the seas, showing three ships going in different directions. The metaphor suggests the many paths available in life, symbolized by the different ships going different directions. The third verse speaks of the wind over the sky showing three stars, namely, the sun, the moon, and the Christmas star. This verse conveys the message that one can always look up and find hope in the stars, even in the darkest times of life.
The fourth and final verse speaks of the wind through the heart showing three roses. The roses represent different people in the child's life, namely, the father, mother, and the child (him/herself). The verse reinforces the idea that love is the most important thing and that the child is loved and cherished.
Overall, the song is a beautiful and calming lullaby that reminds us that despite the struggles in life, we can always find peace and hope in the people and the world around us.
Line by Line Meaning
Slaap, mijn kind, langs de wegen waait de wind
Sleep, my child, the wind blows along the roads and meets three beggars. The first one limps, the second one is blind, and the third one can neither hear nor speak.
Slaap, mijn kind, over zeeën waait de wind
Sleep, my child, the wind blows over the seas and sees three sailing ships. The first ship goes north, the second one goes south, and the third one never returns to the port.
Rosa, Rosa, Rosa, Rosa
Rosa, Rosa, Rosa, Rosa
Slaap, mijn kind, door de hemel waait de wind
Sleep, my child, the wind blows through the sky and sees three shining stars. The first star is called Sun, the second one is called Moon, and the third one shines like Christmas bells ringing.
Slaap, mijn kind, door ons harte waait de wind
Sleep, my child, the wind blows through our hearts and sees three roses bloom. The first one is called she, the second one is called he, and the third one is you, my dearest.
Rosa, Rosa, Rosa, Rosa
Rosa, Rosa, Rosa, Rosa
Rosa, Rosa, Rosa, Rosa
Rosa, Rosa, Rosa, Rosa
Rosa, Rosa
Rosa, Rosa
Rosa
Rosa
Rosa, Rosa, Rosa, Rosa
Rosa, Rosa, Rosa, Rosa
Rosa, Rosa
Rosa, Rosa
Rosa
Rosa
Writer(s): Hermannus J. Herman van Veen
Contributed by Makayla T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.