Kartner had his big break as Vader Abraham in 1971 with the hit 'Vader Abraham had zeven zonen'. He scored one Dutch hit after the other throughout the 1970s. His best known tune by far is 'Het Smurfenlied' (1977), a happy sing-song with world famous cartoon figures The Smurfs. The song was recorded in numerous languages and was a smash hit in many countries, the several translations selling some 25 million copies worldwide.
His perhaps most famous song was released in late 1975: 'In 't kleine café aan de haven', about a small old pub by the harbor. The song was covered by international greats such as Mireille Matthieu, Demis Roussos and Engelbert Humperdinck and is known worldwide under the title 'The Red Rose Café'.
In total, Vader Abraham had 41 hits in the Dutch Top 40 and no less than 69 in his home country's second favorite chart, the Nationale Hitparade. The man who was Vader Abraham, Pierre Kartner, also penned two Dutch Eurovision Song Contest entries: 'De oude muzikant' (performed by Ben Cramer in 1973) and 'Ik ben verliefd (Sha-la-lie)' (performed by Sieneke in 2010).
A less known, but somewhat controversial part of his catalogue were his political songs. Kartner was a conservative, prone to expressing populist opinions in song. Most controversial was 'Wat doen we met die Arabieren hier?' ('What do we do with the Arabs here?'), which was released in 1975, but the singles were quickly removed from the shops, leaving Kartner's record label embarrassed.
Pierre Kartner remained active as a songwriter and performer until the age of 85. He died peacefully at home on 8 November 2022, aged 87.
Mooi Griekenland
Vader Abraham Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
De stoelen staan daar buiten en de mensen zitten daar met elkaar te praten
En verderop daar danst een meisje voor toeristen op haar blote voeten
Een oude visser komt voorbij, hij is wel moe, toch zal hij even groeten
refrain:
Mooi Griekenland
Jouw blauwe zee verwent het zand waar wij vaak lagen in de zon
In alle kleuren hangen bloemen aan een klein balkon
Mooi Griekenland
Jouw ranke visserboten snijden door de zilv'ren zee
Mooi Griekenland
Er klinkt heel zacht een melodie en iedereen zingt mee
De avondzon die kleurt het plein oranje, waar de mensen zich vermaken
De vogels zitten uitgeblust te rusten op de warme lemen daken
Een jongen en een meisje lopen weg, zij zullen zich wel niet vervelen
De stilte wordt verbroken door 't orkest want zij gaan de sirtaki spelen
refrain
refrain
The song "Mooi Griekenland" by Vader Abraham is an ode to the beauty and charm of Greece. The lyrics describe the picturesque scenery of Greece, where houses are painted white and the sun shines brightly on every street. The people are social and enjoy sitting outside on chairs together while chatting. Even the weary fishermen cannot resist greeting passers-by. In the distance, tourists watch as a girl dances barefoot, and the refrain exclaims that Greece is a beautiful country, with its blue sea that caresses the sand where people often lay in the sun. The flowers hanging on small balconies add to the colorful charm of the place. The agile fishing boats cut through the silver sea, and there is always a soft melody playing in the background, with everyone singing along. The evening sun turns the square orange, and everyone is having a good time, even the birds resting on the warm mud roofs. As the boy and the girl walk away, the orchestra begins to play the Sirtaki, a Greek dance, breaking the silence.
Overall, the song has a very uplifting feel and makes the listener long to experience the beauty of Greece. The simple joys of life - sitting outside and chatting with people, watching a barefoot girl dance, and listening to music - contribute to the wonderful atmosphere of the country.
Line by Line Meaning
In Griekenland daar zijn de huisjes wit en lacht de zon door alle straten
The streets of Greece are illuminated by the bright sun shining on the beautiful white houses.
De stoelen staan daar buiten en de mensen zitten daar met elkaar te praten
People in Greece enjoy sitting together outside, chatting in the sun on comfortable chairs.
En verderop daar danst een meisje voor toeristen op haar blote voeten
A local girl dances barefoot for tourists, along with her beautiful traditional Greek dance.
Een oude visser komt voorbij, hij is wel moe, toch zal hij even groeten
A tired old fisherman still makes the effort to greet people as he passes by.
Mooi Griekenland
Jouw blauwe zee verwent het zand waar wij vaak lagen in de zon
Mooi Griekenland
In alle kleuren hangen bloemen aan een klein balkon
Mooi Griekenland
Jouw ranke visserboten snijden door de zilv'ren zee
Mooi Griekenland
Er klinkt heel zacht een melodie en iedereen zingt mee
Greece is a beautiful country with a blue sea that enthralls us where we can lay in the sun. The small balconies are covered with flowers that come in all shades. The boats that the fishermen use are swift and cutting through the silver sea. The Greek music is catchy and it brings everyone together to sing and dance.
De avondzon die kleurt het plein oranje, waar de mensen zich vermaken
As the sun sets on Greece, the sky turns orange and the people enjoy themselves on the vibrant and lively square.
De vogels zitten uitgeblust te rusten op de warme lemen daken
After a long day of flying and chirping, the birds find solace and rest on the warm clay roofs.
Een jongen en een meisje lopen weg, zij zullen zich wel niet vervelen
A young couple walks away, not bothered about getting bored anytime soon.
De stilte wordt verbroken door 't orkest want zij gaan de sirtaki spelen
The silence is broken by a lively and soulful orchestra playing the traditional Greek dance of Sirtaki.
Contributed by Amelia E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@willyvisionsound923
Rust in vrede vader.
@ziekenwagen1000
deze nostalgie zal blijven bestaan
@Mianachtraaf
al op de allereerste dag van mijn Griekse verlof, gevallen en blijven liggen voor dit prachtige land
@johanerasmus1
Ek mis vanjaar my Vakansie op 'n Griekse eiland! 2020 was die jaar van alle laagtepunte regoor die wêreld
@jan62
Heel mooi liedje!
@erwinvh100
prachtig nummer over een prachtig land
@markhoijtink4868
Mooi
@dannyvanstrien3249
De ontdekker van Mijn Jeugd Idool John de Bever Vader Abraham
@luizgonzagasouza5452
Thank you my lovely friend. Good holy day for you all
@StevenWillekens
mooi griekenland