Born Antoine Gerard Theodore Hermans, the entertainer began his career drawing commercial ads and designing storefront displays. After winning a clown competition and starting his own theater review, he moved to Amsterdam in 1942 to perform in the companies of Dutch directors Carl Tobi and Floris Meslier. By the late 1950s, he was drawing huge audiences with his one-man show, a format virtually unknown in the Netherlands at the time.
Together with Wim Sonneveld and Wim Kan he was called "de Grote Drie" (The Big Three).
Marie
Toon Hermans Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Je bent 't draadje aan m'n luchtballon
Je bent de appels op de tafelsprei
Je bent de scharrel van m'n scharrelei
refren':
Zal ik jou wat zeggen: Ik heb je lief Marie
Zal ik jou wat zeggen: Ik heb je lief Marie
Zal ik jou wat zeggen: Ik heb je lief
Je bent m'n groene en m'n stille dal
Je bent m'n kermis en m'n carnaval
Je bent de boter van m'n boterblom
Je bent de goudvis in m'n vissenkom
refren'
Je bent m'n huis, de tuin en 't groene gras
Je bent de zomer in m'n winterjas
Je bent 't zonlicht en haar gouwe glans
Je bent de kraaltjes van m'n rozekrans
refren'
Je bent m'n deuntjes en m'n symfonie
De zije biezen op m'n smokingkie
Je bent 't strikje op m'n witte boord
Je bent m'n heeele leven, enzovoort
refren'
refren'
Marie, Marie
Marie, hoor je me?
Ik heb je lief, Marie
Ik heb je lief, Marie
Marie, Marie
Marie
The lyrics of the song "Marie" by Toon Hermans express the depth of the singer's love for Marie. Throughout the song, Hermans uses various metaphors to describe the different aspects of his life that Marie represents to him. She is his dance in the summer sun, the thread to his hot air balloon, and the apples on his table. She is also the quiet green valley that brings him peace, the excitement of the carnival, and even his beloved green grass.
Hermans also uses more subtle references to express his love for Marie, such as the "scharrelei," which refers to the joy he finds in having a free-range chicken that can lay eggs wherever it pleases. The singer is essentially saying that in having Marie, he has found something just as amazing and important as this free-roaming chicken.
The repetition of the phrase "Zal ik jou wat zeggen: Ik heb je lief, Marie" (Shall I tell you something: I love you, Marie) in the chorus reinforces the singer's feelings, making the song an emotional and heartfelt declaration of love.
Overall, the song is a romantically poetic way of describing the different facets of the singer's love for Marie, suggesting a deep and all-consuming affection that is perfectly captured by the musical arrangement.
Line by Line Meaning
Je bent m'n dansje in de zomerzon
You are my dance in the summer sun. You bring joy and lightness to my life.
Je bent 't draadje aan m'n luchtballon
You are the string that keeps me from flying away, the grounding force in my life.
Je bent de appels op de tafelsprei
You are the fruit of my life, the sweetness that adds flavor and warmth to my days.
Je bent de scharrel van m'n scharrelei
You are the love of my life, the one who makes me feel complete and whole.
refren':
Chorus:
Zal ik jou wat zeggen: Ik heb je lief Marie
Shall I tell you something? I love you, Marie.
Je bent m'n groene en m'n stille dal
You are my peaceful and serene valley, my place of rest and tranquility.
Je bent m'n kermis en m'n carnaval
You are my carnival, my celebration of life and joy.
Je bent de boter van m'n boterblom
You are my buttercup, my bright and beautiful flower.
Je bent de goudvis in m'n vissenkom
You are my goldfish, my little treasure that brings me happiness.
refren':
Chorus:
Je bent m'n huis, de tuin en 't groene gras
You are my home, my safe haven, and the lush green grass that surrounds it.
Je bent de zomer in m'n winterjas
You are the warmth and sunshine that keeps me feeling alive even in the coldest of times.
Je bent 't zonlicht en haar gouwe glans
You are the sunlight and its golden glow that fills my life with light and happiness.
Je bent de kraaltjes van m'n rozekrans
You are the beads of my rosary, the little things that give meaning and purpose to my life.
refren':
Chorus:
Je bent m'n deuntjes en m'n symfonie
You are my melodies and my symphony, the beautiful music that fills my soul.
De zije biezen op m'n smokingkie
You are the satin edges on my tuxedo, the touch of elegance and refinement that you bring to my life.
Je bent 't strikje op m'n witte boord
You are the bow tie on my white collar, the little detail that makes me look and feel sharp.
Je bent m'n heeele leven, enzovoort
You are my everything, my entire life, and so much more.
refren':
Chorus:
refren'
Chorus:
Marie, Marie
Marie, Marie.
Marie, hoor je me?
Marie, do you hear me?
Ik heb je lief, Marie
I love you, Marie.
Ik heb je lief, Marie
I love you, Marie.
Marie, Marie
Marie, Marie.
Writer(s): Toon Hermans
Contributed by Keira K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@detached2
Toon is de grootste die Nederland ooit heeft gehad!!!!!!
@user-il8in7or3x
Van uit New Zealand genieten van
herineringen. die goede oude tijd!!!!
@patrickboogaard2998
Grootste artiest die ons land ooit kende
@ddoeser5830
Toon Hermans R.I.P ONVERGETELIJK ❤
@marjahansma744
GEWELDIG was Toon.
@itana5542
Heerlijke herinneringen aan Toon ❤️👍✅🙏🫶🏼en en bijzondere gitarist !
@gingerbeer914
en mandolineorkestleider!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFHXEajgZvQ
@geheimschrijver
Rust zacht Maestro Benny !!
@geertvandewalle7940
een grote meneer!!!
@jokevanderburg1751
Nog steeds geweldig om te zien.