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 Geur van Gom
Coenie De Villiers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
toe't ek my eie brood verdien;
op 'n straathoek met my kinnerlyf
het ek die ou beroep bedryf
Bedags is ek oor geld verleë
vir 'n aalmoes uit jou BMW
maar snags as ek my flikkers gooi
(koor)
Dissie myne nie
dissie joune ie
dis 'n anner vrou se man
wat jy na vry (x2)
Wat traak dit mense
waar ek slaap;
dis oral koud in die winterkaap.
So kom ek om, so kom ek om
van Kaapse reën
en die geur van gom
My antie woon op Mitchell's Plein
met 'n man sonder naam en 'n kan vol wyn
ek slaap soms op die huis se vloer
en droom van 'n ma wat melkkos roer.
My pa se naam is onbekend
sy kind is nou 'n boy for rent
wat leef op coke en halwe brood;
teen twintig moontlik lankal dood
(koor)
The song "Die Geur van Gom" by Coenie De Villiers tells the story of a young boy's struggle to survive on the streets of Cape Town. The singer reveals that he started working as a prostitute at the age of 10 years old, and would stand on a street corner to earn money. He describes feeling embarrassed during the day when he would ask for money from people in their BMWs, but at night when he was working, he felt like he was in control and the person paying for his services was the prey. Despite his difficult circumstances, the singer seems to have a sense of pride in his work and in his ability to take care of himself.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the idea that the people passing judgement on the singer's situation don't really understand or care about what he's going through. He sings, "It's not mine, it's not yours, it's another woman's man that you're chasing after." The song is about the singer's experiences, but it also speaks to the larger societal issue of how marginalized people are often dismissed and judged by those who are more fortunate.
Line by Line Meaning
Ja, ek was skaars 'n jaar of tien
When I was barely ten years old
toe't ek my eie brood verdien;
I earned my own bread
op 'n straathoek met my kinnerlyf
On a street corner with my child's body
het ek die ou beroep bedryf
I pursued the profession
Bedags is ek oor geld verleë
During the day I worry about money
vir 'n aalmoes uit jou BMW
For a handout from your BMW
maar snags as ek my flikkers gooi
But at night when I strut my stuff
is jy die jagter, ék die prooi.
You're the hunter and I'm the prey.
(koor) Dissie myne nie
(Chorus) It's not mine
dissie joune ie
It's not yours
dis 'n anner vrou se man
He's another woman's man
wat jy na vry (x2)
That you're sleeping with
Wat traak dit mense
What do people care
waar ek slaap;
Where I sleep;
dis oral koud in die winterkaap.
It's cold everywhere in the Winter Cape.
So kom ek om, so kom ek om
So I come, so I come
van Kaapse reën
From the Cape rain
en die geur van gom
And the smell of gum
My antie woon op Mitchell's Plein
My Auntie lives on Mitchell's Plein
met 'n man sonder naam en 'n kan vol wyn
With a man without a name and a can full of wine
ek slaap soms op die huis se vloer
Sometimes I sleep on the floor of the house
en droom van 'n ma wat melkkos roer.
And dream of a mother making milk food.
My pa se naam is onbekend
My father's name is unknown
sy kind is nou 'n boy for rent
His child is now a boy for rent
wat leef op coke en halwe brood;
Living on coke and half a loaf
teen twintig moontlik lankal dood
Possibly already dead at twenty
(koor)
(chorus)
Contributed by Connor V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.