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.
Niet elke oester heeft een parel
Vader Abraham Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Niet elke oester heeft een parel
Niet elke ring een diamant
Maar als je altijd blijft geloven
Ligt zo'n parel eens in je hand
De zee had eens de hoge golven
Z'n prooi dat was Veronica
Een diamant viel uit een ring
Maar oude liefde kan niet slijten
Daar ligt een oester op 't strand
Neem z'n parel in je hand
En draag hem verder over 't land
refrain
Mensen blijven altijd hopen
Tot een wonder is geschied
Toch lijkt 't een gewoon cadeau
Veronica werd V.O.O.
De horizon kleurt oranje
Een straat is anders dan de zee
Piraten staan nu voor een raam
Dezelfde met een andere naam
refrain
refrain
The song "Niet elke oester heeft een parel" by Vader Abraham talks about the reality of life where not everyone is lucky to have a perfect life. The refrain repeatedly says that not every oyster has a pearl, and not every ring has a diamond, but one must keep hoping and believing that someday they will get what they deserve. It shows that life can be tough and not everyone gets what they desire, but one must keep believing that good things will come their way. A sea took away Veronica, and it left her with memories of her 14 years of life. However, even the old love cannot wear away, and sometimes a pearl appears when we least expect it. Life is like the sea with its ups and downs, but it is also generous in its way. There will always be hope for a better future, and it is in our hands to make it happen.
Furthermore, the song suggests that miracles can happen, and people should believe in them. It may not be grand or significant, but it can be a simple gesture that brings joy. The lyrics convey that people should cherish what they have and appreciate the small things in life. The song talks about how life is not always what one expects it to be, and sometimes the most exciting things can come from the most unexpected places.
In conclusion, the song "Niet elke oester heeft een parel" by Vader Abraham is a heartfelt message of hope and optimism. It tells people to keep believing in themselves and to cherish the things that they have. The song encourages people to hope for better days while accepting the reality of what they have now.
Line by Line Meaning
Niet elke oester heeft een parel
Not every shellfish has a precious pearl hidden within its shell
Niet elke ring een diamant
Not every piece of jewelry possesses the sparkle and value of a diamond
Maar als je altijd blijft geloven
However, if you continue to have faith and trust in life
Ligt zo'n parel eens in je hand
One day, you may come across such a gem and hold it in your own hands
De zee had eens de hoge golven
Once upon a time, the sea was raging with high waves
Z'n prooi dat was Veronica
Its prey was a ship named Veronica
Veertien jaar herinnering
Fourteen years later, it remained a vivid memory
Een diamant viel uit een ring
A diamond fell out of a ring and was lost among the sea waves
Maar oude liefde kan niet slijten
However, old love cannot fade away or be eroded by time
Daar ligt een oester op 't strand
There lies a shellfish on the beach
Neem z'n parel in je hand
Take its pearl in your hand
En draag hem verder over 't land
And carry it away with you as you stroll over the land
Mensen blijven altijd hopen
People always remain hopeful
Tot een wonder is geschied
Until a miracle happens
Toch lijkt 't een gewoon cadeau
Nevertheless, it may seem like an ordinary gift
Veronica werd V.O.O.
Veronica turned into V.O.O. (a reference to a pirate radio station)
De horizon kleurt oranje
The horizon is painted in orange hues
Een straat is anders dan de zee
A street is different from the sea
Piraten staan nu voor een raam
Pirates are now standing outside a window
Dezelfde met een andere naam
The same pirates, but under a different name
Niet elke oester heeft een parel
Not every shellfish has a precious pearl hidden within its shell
Niet elke ring een diamant
Not every piece of jewelry possesses the sparkle and value of a diamond
Maar als je altijd blijft geloven
However, if you continue to have faith and trust in life
Ligt zo'n parel eens in je hand
One day, you may come across such a gem and hold it in your own hands
Contributed by Parker S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@gerardvanzanten9568
Geweldige mooie klassieker van onze Pierre Kartner.Supermooie plaat.TOP❤👍
@wimtekelenburg4240
echt mooi liet
@jlinkels
Ontroerend
@tjeerdweening9392
blijft tóch leuk hè
@christiannevanaert7242
Mooi lied
@erikcompagner8312
Prachtig
@tanika159
prachtig !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@evertbaauw7391
Ode aan Pierre rust zacht
@mvermeulen26
Soms heimwee naar deze goeie ouwe tijd!!
@margotbergmans4026
Gfegtqf8😊😅 3:56