Born in Bloemfontein, South Africa, Coenie was educated at University of the Free State in Bloemfontein majoring in media studies where he later on lectured in the Communications faculty. He has always viewed his musical career as his second vocation. He is also a classically trained pianist. Coenie is the anchor presenter in popular South African kykNET journal program "Kwela".
During the late 1980s, Coenie spent a few years in self-imposed exile in Cyprus. Coenie has also performed in New Zealand, Canada, the Netherlands, Belgium, and the United Kingdom.
Coenie signed with Mountain Records in 1983, and recorded his debut album, Skoppensboer, working with producer, Patrick Lee-Thorp and engineer, Kevin Shirley, in the same year. He subsequently recorded 4 albums for the label many of which won industry awards. In addition he contributed to label compilations of his work. Since leaving Mountain Records he has recorded a number of one off projects for different labels.
Coenie lived on the island of Cyprus during the eighties and nineties. He wrote, recorded and produced the album Amper Alleen in Cyprus and in Athens, Greece. Amper Alleen was the second SA album to be released on CD. Coenie and his family returned to South Africa after the release of Nelson Mandela and the unbanning of the ANC. He released Hartland, an album which included a vocal performance by Lesley Rae Dowling.
Die Duif
Coenie De Villiers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Laat my sagkens gedy.
Laat my verteer.
Neem my op in U bloed.
En as ek die kamers
van U hart leer ken,
O Heer.
Amen.
The lyrics of Coenie De Villiers's song "Die Duif" delves into a theme of surrendering one's self to God. The opening lines of "Week my in U krop, Laat my sagkens gedy" (Weaken me in your grip, let me gently ripen) indicate the willingness of the singer to submit herself to the divine power. The use of "week" rather than "weerlos" (defenseless) highlights the viewpoint of the singer that giving in to God is not a defeat but rather an opportunity to mature and developed under the divine will. The next lines of "Laat my verteer. Neem my op in U bloed" (Let me decompose. Take me up in your blood) underscores the singer's eagerness to let go of her self to be absorbed in the divinity of God. The image of decomposing or melting away speaks to her submission as a process of dissolution and preservation through being absorbed in God.
Line by Line Meaning
Week my in U krop
Soak me in Your essence, Lord
Laat my sagkens gedy.
Let me be gently nourished
Laat my verteer.
Let me be fully consumed
Neem my op in U bloed.
Take me into Your blood
En as ek die kamers
As I become familiar
van U hart leer ken,
With the chambers of Your heart
werp my uit op die land,
Cast me out into the world
O Heer.
Oh Lord, Amen.
Contributed by Annabelle J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.