Hee kleine meid, op je kinderfiets . . .

Herman van Veen is, apparently, a super-famous Dutch singer, at least with the older generation.  He has kind of crooner style.  For class on Monday, we had to listen to one one of his songs and try to write out the lyrics from listening to it.  It is kind of pretty song and it was recorded in 1973.  I have attached a link to the video that we saw in class, which is all shades of "Sunrise, Sunset" (you know, the kids are getting older and growing up and leaving).  Our teacher said that she chose this song in honor of one of the guys' (really adorable) little two year old daughter.  I have provided the original lyrics as well as a loose translation into English.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wO7_tp0rD7c

“Hee, kleine meid . . .” By Herman van Veen

“Hey, Little Girl . . .” (Poetical) English translation

Hee kleine meid op je kinderfiets, De zon draait steeds met je mee Hee kleine meid op je kinderfiets, De zomer glijdt langs je heen Met je haar in de wind en de zon op je wangen, Rijd je me zomaar voorbij, fiets                                                                  Hee kleine meid op je kinderfiets, Je lacht en je zwaait naar een zwaan En de vijver weerspiegelt je witte jurk, En het riet fluistert je naam En het zonlicht speelt in de draaiende wielen, Schitterend strooi je het licht, fiets Hee lieve meid op je kliene fiets, Als een witte stip in het groen Slingert je blinkende kinderfiets, Zich dwars door het zomerseizoen En je rijdt maar door en je fiets wordt steeds kleiner, Plotseling ben je weer weg, fiets

Hey little girl on your little girls' bike, The sun is turning with you Hey little girl on your little girls' bike, The sun is slipping away from you With your hair in the wind and the sun on your cheeks, You’re passing me by on your bike Hey little girl on your little girls' bike, You laugh and you wave at a swan And the pond reflects your white dress, And the reeds whisper your name And the sunlight plays in your spinning wheels, Sparkling with brilliant light, your bike Hey little girl on your little bike, Like a little white  dot in the green Shining and playing on your little girls' bike Passing through the summer And you ride  on your bike getting steadily smaller, Soon you’ll be gone on your bike

Kind of pretty, right?

Now, when I was looking for this video, I found an old recording which, from outfits and things, seems to have been made not that much later than 1973.  It is a recording of Herman van Veen performing a slightly different version of the song at a concert.  It is worth watching if only for the bizarre dancing around that he does at the end of the song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evWRXu4xdfU&feature=related