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 Houtgeweer
Coenie De Villiers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
en die houtgeweer skiet krom,
maar die houtgeweer
word profeet, meneer
oor die oorloë wat nog kom
Al word die kinders vaak
skiet die houtgeweer steeds raak
se skynverweer
sal soldate van hul maak
(koor)
Om te sterf is pynloos, snel
as die houtgeweer jou fel
waar die sneller knal
en die vyand val
word die dood 'n skaduspel
Om te weifel is fataal
dis 'n roer wat selde faal-
wat só sekuur
deur 'n houtmik vuur
laat die vyand duur betaal
Voor die teiken kan verdwyn,
die verbeelding dalkies kwyn
het die skoot getref
en die kind besef
hy's soldaat, al is hy klein
(koor)
En so word die gereg
deur due houtgeweer besleg,
deur die speelvisier
word die dood gevier:
wat verkeerd was, word nou reg
(herhaal vers 1)
In Coenie de Villiers's song "Die Houtgeweer," he explores the concept of a wooden gun being transformed from something that is seen as useless and ineffective to a powerful tool that can make soldiers out of children. He suggests that regardless of the inadequacies of the wooden gun, it can still be deadly and that the act of using a wooden gun can transform a child into a soldier. Throughout the song, he personifies the wooden gun, calling it "prophet," which is an interesting way to convey how much meaning the object can hold in the face of war.
The chorus serves as a poignant reminder that death during war feels like a shadow game, while hesitation can be fatal. While a wooden gun may seem like a child's toy, it can have lethal consequences. Through the lyrics, the poet masterfully underscores the point that wars are not just about military power or technology - the human spirit is important, and even a wooden gun can transform people into powerful forces. The song is a reflection on the impact of war on individuals and communities, especially children who are forced to grow up too quickly.
Line by Line Meaning
Die houtgeweer is dom
The wooden rifle is foolish
en die houtgeweer skiet krom,
and the wooden rifle shoots crooked
maar die houtgeweer
but the wooden rifle
word profeet, meneer
becomes a prophet, sir
oor die oorloë wat nog kom
about the wars that are yet to come
Al word die kinders vaak
Although the children often
skiet die houtgeweer steeds raak
the wooden rifle still shoots accurately
en die houtgeweer
and the wooden rifle
se skynverweer
its apparent defense
sal soldate van hul maak
will make soldiers of them
(koor)
(choir)
Om te sterf is pynloos, snel
To die is painless, swift
as die houtgeweer jou fel
when the wooden rifle strikes you
waar die sneller knal
where the bullet cracks
en die vyand val
and the enemy falls
word die dood 'n skaduspel
death becomes a shadow play
Om te weifel is fataal
To hesitate is fatal
dis 'n roer wat selde faal-
it's a gun that rarely fails-
wat só sekuur
that so precisely
deur 'n houtmik vuur
through a wooden muzzle
laat die vyand duur betaal
makes the enemy pay dearly
Voor die teiken kan verdwyn,
Before the target disappears,
die verbeelding dalkies kwyn
the imagination may fade
het die skoot getref
the shot hit
en die kind besef
and the child realizes
hy's soldaat, al is hy klein
he's a soldier, though he's small
(koor)
(choir)
En so word die gereg
And so justice is served
deur due houtgeweer besleg,
settled by the wooden rifle,
deur die speelvisier
through the toy sight
word die dood gevier:
death is celebrated:
wat verkeerd was, word nou reg
what was wrong is now made right
(herhaal vers 1)
(repeat verse 1)
Contributed by Levi O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.