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.
Herz
Herman van Veen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sagte er
Hätten einzig und allein
Von überflüssigem Stein
Befreit werden müssen
Läßt sich nicht dies Prinzip
Auch auf Menschen übertragen
Von vielen kann man sagen
Es muß ? nichtsdestotrotz
Auf einen groben Klotz
Nicht immer nur ein grober Keil gehören
Hörst du denn nicht den Trommler
Der beharrlich in die schlägt
Der dich bei aller Gegenwehr
Auch durch Feindeslager trägt
Hör auf ihn ? er sagt dir was
Wenn er sich nicht mehr regt
Ist das ein Zeichen dafür, daß
Sich gar nichts mehr bewegt
Es ist inzwischen Mode
Verinnerlicht zu sein
Man lauscht in sich hinein
Und ist ergriffen
Seltsam dabei ist nur
Daß sie, die sich nach innen so verfeinern
Nach außen so oft versteinern
Doch stehst du am Beginn
Und weißt noch nicht, wohin
Es gibt da eine Orientierungshilfe
Hörst du denn nicht den Trommler
Der beharrlich in die schlägt
Der dich bei aller Gegenwehr
Auch durch Feindeslager trägt
Hör auf ihn ? er sagt dir was
Wenn er sich nicht mehr regt
Ist das ein Zeichen dafür, daß
Sich gar nichts mehr bewegt
The song "Herz" by Herman van Veen discusses the idea of self-discovery and personal growth through the metaphor of sculpting. The lyrics begin with the idea that just as Michelangelo freed his sculptures from excess stone in order to bring out their full potential, people must also shed their excess baggage and become polished. The song goes on to emphasize the importance of listening to the inner voice or "the drummer" who can guide us through difficult times and bring clarity to our clarity to our thoughts. The suggestion is that sometimes we get stuck in a mode of introspection, without recognizing that we might be "versteinern" (turning to stone) and need a lifeline to keep moving forward.
Overall, the message of the song is one of hope and encouragement, reminding us that we all have the potential to be great works of art if we shed our excess baggage and listen to our inner voice.
Line by Line Meaning
Michelangelos Skulpturen
He believes that Michelangelo's sculptures should be carved out from the unnecessary stones. This principle can also be applied to humans. There are many people who need to be chiseled and shaped to become something great.
Läßt sich nicht dies Prinzip
This principle cannot be ignored.
Von vielen kann man sagen
There are many people who are unpolished and unrefined.
Sie sind unbehauen
Many people need to be chiseled and refined to bring out their true potential.
Es muß nichtsdestotrotz
However, it's important to remember that not every rough block needs a rough wedge.
Auf einen groben Klotz
Not every person needs the same treatment.
Nicht immer nur ein grober Keil gehören
Each person needs specific steps to reach their full potential.
Hörst du denn nicht den Trommler
Can't you hear the drummer?
Der beharrlich in die schlägt
The drummer who persistently beats his drum.
Der dich bei aller Gegenwehr
He is the one who can help you go through tough times.
Auch durch Feindeslager trägt
Even in times of war, he can guide you through.
Hör auf ihn ? er sagt dir was
Listen to him. He's trying to tell you something important.
Wenn er sich nicht mehr regt
If you can't hear him anymore,
Ist das ein Zeichen dafür, daß
It's a sign that there's no progress being made.
Sich gar nichts mehr bewegt
Nothing is changing or improving.
Es ist inzwischen Mode
It's trendy these days.
Verinnerlicht zu sein
To be introspective and reflective.
Man lauscht in sich hinein
To listen to one's own thoughts.
Und ist ergriffen
There's a strange phenomenon where people who look inwardly still have a hard exterior.
Seltsam dabei ist nur
It's a strange thing, but the truth is,
Daß sie, die sich nach innen so verfeinern
People who focus on their inner selves still come off as unrefined to the outside world.
Nach außen so oft versteinern
They become more rigid or inflexible when interacting externally.
Doch stehst du am Beginn
If you are at the beginning of this journey,
Und weißt noch nicht, wohin
And you don't know where to go next,
Es gibt da eine Orientierungshilfe
There is guidance available to you.
Contributed by Bailey H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.