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.
Kleiner Fratz
Herman van Veen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
und eins, zwei, drei gelang's dir, aufzustehn
mit großen Schritten um dein Ställchen zu gehn
du lerntest stehn durch fallen
Seh dich noch mit dem ersten Fahrrad fahr'n
und kurz danach schon für ein Auto spar'n
ich sah Gefahren, wo sie gar nicht war'n
Mein kleiner Schatz
kleiner großer Schatz
wann sind wir endlich da
war deine Lieblingsfrage
Ich seh dein Zimmer, als ob's gestern wär'
die Sonne schien schon, doch dein Bett war leer
sie ist groß, kein kleines Mädchen mehr
das sagte ich zu deinem Teddy
Ich hab dein Söhnchen vor uns sitzen sehn
ihm gelang es aufzustehn
mit großen Schritten um sein Ställchen zu gehn
auch er lernt jetzt stehn durch fallen
Mein kleiner Schatz
kleiner großer Schatz
wann sind wir endlich da
das wirst du schon noch sehen
Sogar dein Name ist schön
schöner als alle anderen
so hieß auch deine Oma
Mein kleiner Schatz
kleiner großer Schatz
wann sind wir endlich da
das kann ich dir nicht sagen
The song "Kleiner Fratz" by Herman Van Veen is a heartfelt and nostalgic tribute to the growth and development of a child, who has now become an adult with a child of their own. The lyrics recount memories of watching the child learn to walk and ride a bike, and the sense of protection and fear that parent experiences while witnessing their child's journey to independence. The song also reflects on the passage of time, with the child's room appearing empty as they have grown up and moved on.
The chorus of the song repeats the child's favorite question, "Wann sind wir endlich da?" (When will we finally be there?), which can be interpreted as a symbol of the child's curiosity and eagerness to explore the world around them. The final verse introduces the child's own son, continuing the cycle of growth and development and the parent's role in nurturing their child's journey.
Overall, "Kleiner Fratz" captures the bittersweet emotions of parenthood and the passage of time, as well as the beauty and wonder of watching a child grow and flourish.
Line by Line Meaning
Hab dich als Baby grad noch sitzen sehn
I remember seeing you as a baby just learning to sit
und eins, zwei, drei gelang's dir, aufzustehn
And just like that, with a few tries, you were able to stand up on your own
mit großen Schritten um dein Ställchen zu gehn
You took big steps around your playpen
du lerntest stehn durch fallen
You learned how to stand up by falling and getting back up again
Seh dich noch mit dem ersten Fahrrad fahr'n
I can still see you riding your first bike
und kurz danach schon für ein Auto spar'n
And shortly after that, you were already saving up for a car
ich sah Gefahren, wo sie gar nicht war'n
I would worry about dangers that weren't actually there
und du wurdest immer schöner
But you kept growing more beautiful
Mein kleiner Schatz
My little treasure
kleiner großer Schatz
Small but valuable
wann sind wir endlich da
When will we finally arrive?
war deine Lieblingsfrage
That was your favorite question to ask
Ich seh dein Zimmer, als ob's gestern wär'
I can still see your room as if it were yesterday
die Sonne schien schon, doch dein Bett war leer
The sun was already shining, but your bed was empty
sie ist groß, kein kleines Mädchen mehr
You are tall now, no longer a little girl
das sagte ich zu deinem Teddy
I said that to your teddy bear
Ich hab dein Söhnchen vor uns sitzen sehn
I saw your son sitting in front of us
ihm gelang es aufzustehn
He managed to stand up on his own
mit großen Schritten um sein Ställchen zu gehn
He took big steps around his playpen
auch er lernt jetzt stehn durch fallen
Just like you, he is learning how to stand up by falling and getting back up again
das wirst du schon noch sehen
You'll see it for yourself soon enough
Sogar dein Name ist schön
Even your name is beautiful
schöner als alle anderen
More beautiful than all the others
so hieß auch deine Oma
That's what your grandma was called too
das kann ich dir nicht sagen
I can't tell you that
Contributed by Christopher E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@stephanweichers3077
Wenn wenige Lieder den Boden meiner Seele berühren, ist dies eines von ihnen...Hartelijk dank Herman! ❤
@st.k.5253
in meiner traurigen Teeny-Zeit hat mich dieses schöne Lied schon getröstet und selbst heute bekomme ich noch Gänsehaut vom zuhören. Wunderbarer Herman van Veen, danke
@juttawinkler7280
Es bleibt mein absolutes Lieblingslied, denn als ich schwanger war mit meinem Sohn, stellte ich mir mein Kind auf dem kleinen Kinderrad vor - es war ein sooooo schönes Gefühl mit viel Freude auf das, was kommt - heute ist er 30 Jahre alt und fährt "schon" Motorrad - die Erinnerung bleibt........ Danke Hermann!!!!!
@bobwagemakers5055
+Jutta Winkler Dear Jutta,, your reaction appears on top, but more relevant, your beautiful brief anecdote makes me understand together with so much heartfelt comments what he actually does to us all. Until last week after seeing "college tour" on Dutch TV... the song he did at the end I realized Herman is more then spetter pieter pater, Anne and his more known work, I am Dutch. Yes I know him... he has been a part of my cultural life as long as I know, but even though I am Dutch I do not know him well enough. I now listen to this lullaby and I browsed so much of his other work tonight in both German and Dutch and can only end like you do.... Danke Hermann... with a bit of shame not knowing how delicate his music actually is and also joy at the same time for understanding you at 45 yo, trust me Jutta... I cried my guts out tonight!
@juttawinkler7280
+Bob Wagemakers Dear Bob, I'm still awake and thank you for your sooooooo love answer to my thoughts from the distant past ......
Yes, Hermann is a very critical person, and when he speaks, sings, tells his so pleasant warm voice, when he makes his jokes on stage, he seems so fundamentally honest. I love him since the 70s, as it struck me! Now we get older and Hermann to, but he remains the Hermann, he was over 40 years ago - human, warm-hearted, socially (critical), a man who "the child called by name" and his music - all 3 Thumbs up! Much love to you and goodnight !!
@bobwagemakers5055
+Jutta Winkler :) Danke.... I feel and understand all you say, as I know so many of us do... may I say...I do not listen to lyrics that much, I don't... I see the honesty in his eyes, his love for exact pronunciation in any given language and the consolation in his voice... for me his words are more like poetry and it makes me sleep well, like a daddy he is. Apparently it is not just language.. thank you Jutta, I like outspoken comments at any time of day. ps yes I like his critical touch too... you know Bots? I am from Eindhoven... Singer Hans Sanders was part of my (parents) social life., he taught me some good Cuban rhythms.
@andremenzel9696
Als meine Frau vor 20 Jahren schwanger war habe ich das Album immer zum einschlafen gehört.......
Als dann meine neugeborene Tochter unleidlich war spielte ich Hermann van veen und sie war geborgen und zufrieden.. ....
Danke Hermann.....
@thegodfather2435
Jutta Winkler Grüß mal den Rainer - mit ai ganz wichtig - von mir 🖐️
@MrBernd26
Ich, 1951 geboren!? habe dieses Lied zum ersten Mal im Palast der Republik (DDR Berlin) bei einem Gastspiel von Herman van Veen gehört:
Und noch immer kommen mir die Tränen!!
@hans-peterkielmann2842
ein wunderschönes lied, träne im auge!