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 cafรฉ 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 Cafรฉ'.
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.
TUSSEN KROEGEN EN KERKEN
Vader Abraham Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dan zijn er twee plaatsen, de kerk en het cafe
Waar je even kunt rusten in, stilte of met een glas
Er is geen mens op de wereld die daar niet eens was
Tussen kroegen en kerken is er weinig verschil
Want drinken en bidden maakt alle twee stil
Je denkt alleen aan je zonden bij drank en gebed
Niemand vraagt in kroeg en kerk wat je bid of wat je drinkt
Er klinkt steeds een ander liedje als je huilt of als je zingt
Zelfs de klok in de toren lijkt op een bel in 't cafe
Bij de een de kastelein de capelaan of dominee
Tussen kroegen en kerken is er weinig verschil
Want drinken en bidden maakt alle twee stil
Je denkt alleen aan je zonden bij drank en gebed
Iedereen heeft daar ooit wel een voetstap gezet
Soms staan ze met zijn tweeen naast elkaar op het plein
In de kroeg is er bier, in de kerk rode wijn
Toch wint de een van de ander als het gaat om publiek
Maar in de hemel of op de aarde is er altijd muziek
Tussen kroegen en kerken is er weinig verschil
Want drinken en bidden maakt alle twee stil
Je denkt alleen aan je zonden bij drank en gebed
Iedereen heeft daar ooit wel een voetstap gezet
Tussen kroegen en kerken is er weinig verschil
Want drinken en bidden maakt alle twee stil
Je denkt alleen aan je zonden bij drank en gebed
Iedereen heeft daar ooit wel een voetstap gezet
The song "Tussen Kroegen en Kerken" by Vader Abraham speaks to the similarities between bars and churches as places where people can find solace, whether it be through quiet contemplation or a glass of alcohol. The lyrics suggest that both places provide a respite from difficult days, where individuals can take a moment to gather their thoughts and reflect on their past mistakes. The idea presented is that both drinking and praying can bring a sense of calm and inner peace.
The song also highlights the notion that both bars and churches are non-judgmental spaces where people can come as they are, and no one will inquire about what they believe or what they are drinking. It doesn't matter if you are a patron or a member of the congregation; everybody is welcome. Music is another thing that makes these two places similar. The song acknowledges the music that fills both venues and how they can bring people together, creating a sense of community.
Overall, the song presents a unique perspective on the similarities between places of worship and places of entertainment. It encourages listeners to appreciate the moments of peace and escape that both drinking and praying can offer.
Line by Line Meaning
In je leven zijn er dagen en die zitten niet mee
Sometimes life gets tough and it's hard to cope.
Dan zijn er twee plaatsen, de kerk en het cafe
In those times, there are two places you can go: the church or the pub.
Waar je even kunt rusten in, stilte of met een glas
Both offer a chance to rest, whether in silence or with a drink.
Er is geen mens op de wereld die daar niet eens was
Everyone has been to one or the other at some point in their life.
Tussen kroegen en kerken is er weinig verschil
There's not much difference between pubs and churches.
Want drinken en bidden maakt alle twee stil
Both drinking and praying bring peace and quiet.
Je denkt alleen aan je zonden bij drank en gebed
In both places, you're reminded of your mistakes and need for forgiveness.
Iedereen heeft daar ooit wel een voetstap gezet
Everyone has walked through the doors of a pub or church at least once.
Niemand vraagt in kroeg en kerk wat je bid of wat je drinkt
No one cares what you're praying for or what you're drinking in these places.
Er klinkt steeds een ander liedje als je huilt of als je zingt
There's always a different song playing, whether you're crying or singing.
Zelfs de klok in de toren lijkt op een bel in 't cafe
Even the church bell sounds like a bar bell.
Bij de een de kastelein de capelaan of dominee
In the pub, the bartender is like a priest or preacher.
Soms staan ze met zijn tweeen naast elkaar op het plein
Sometimes the pub and the church are right next to each other on the same square.
In de kroeg is er bier, in de kerk rode wijn
In the pub, there's beer; in the church, red wine.
Toch wint de een van de ander als het gaat om publiek
Despite their similarities, one attracts more people than the other.
Maar in de hemel of op de aarde is er altijd muziek
But whether in heaven or on earth, there's always music.
Contributed by Joshua N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Woef_de_Wolf
I got you mate
There are days in your life and they are not going well
Then there are two places, the church and the cafe
Where you can rest in, silence or with a glass
There is not a person in the world who was not even there
There is little difference between pubs and churches
Because drinking and praying silences both
You only think about your sins when you drink and pray
Everyone has taken a step there at some point
Nobody asks in pub and church what you pray or what you drink
There is always a different song when you cry or when you sing
Even the clock in the tower resembles a bell in a cafe
In the case of one the landlord, the captain or pastor
There is little difference between pubs and churches
Because drinking and praying silences both
You only think about your sins when you drink and pray
Everyone has taken a step there at some point
Sometimes the two of them stand next to each other on the square
In the pub there is beer, in the church there is red wine
Yet one person wins over the other when it comes to audience
But in heaven or on earth there is always music
There is little difference between pubs and churches
Because drinking and praying silences both
You only think about your sins when you drink and pray
Everyone has taken a step there at some point
There is little difference between pubs and churches
Because drinking and praying silences both
You only think about your sins when you drink and pray
Everyone has taken a step there at some point
@Woef_de_Wolf
no problem
There are days in your life and they are not going well
Then there are two places, the church and the cafe
Where you can rest in, silence or with a glass
There is not a person in the world who was not even there
There is little difference between pubs and churches
Because drinking and praying silences both
You only think about your sins when you drink and pray
Everyone has taken a step there at some point
Nobody asks in pub and church what you pray or what you drink
There is always a different song when you cry or when you sing
Even the clock in the tower resembles a bell in a cafe
In the case of one the landlord, the captain or pastor
There is little difference between pubs and churches
Because drinking and praying silences both
You only think about your sins when you drink and pray
Everyone has taken a step there at some point
Sometimes the two of them stand next to each other on the square
In the pub there is beer, in the church there is red wine
Yet one person wins over the other when it comes to audience
But in heaven or on earth there is always music
There is little difference between pubs and churches
Because drinking and praying silences both
You only think about your sins when you drink and pray
Everyone has taken a step there at some point
There is little difference between pubs and churches
Because drinking and praying silences both
You only think about your sins when you drink and pray
Everyone has taken a step there at some point
@knightsatin
ik heb dit pas gezien en voel me erg treurig. Al sinds de jaren 70 heb ik de liedjes van Vader Abraham geluisterd. Rust zacht meneer en bedankt voor alles
@coco_games_andmore
Rust in vrede Vader Abraham je hebt zulke mooie liedjes gemaakt ik zal altijd aan je denken!!!!
@dirk324
Hollandse hits..... Vader Abram goeie zanger!!
@user-ce8qx2js5k
โ@@dirk32400p
@mariedhaene
Veel geluk daar wij zullen jou missen altijd juiste woorden bedankt grjes Marie
@carolinevanes5879
Wat mis ik hem, rust zacht lieve vader,ik luister nog dagelijks naar je mooie liedjes.๐๐ผ๐ฅฒ๐
@dirk324
Was een goeie zanger!!!
@HEMMDO
Prachtig, rip leggend ๐ฅ
@mariedhaene
Mijn eenzaam is weer zo een dag, iemand praten tegen iemand met zoveel verdriet ๐ด๐
@hansvansanten5313
Having Lived in Australia For The Past 73 Years I Still Love My Moeder Land Music