Coenie de Villiers (Coenraad Grabe de Villiers), born 11 October 1956, is a… Read Full Bio ↴Coenie de Villiers (Coenraad Grabe de Villiers), born 11 October 1956, is a South African singer/songwriter, pianist, pop artist who sings in his mother tongue, Afrikaans. If any comparison was required, Coenie's music is best compared to the pop/rock of Herbert Groenemeyer (German language) or Billy Joel (USA English language).

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 Kers
Coenie De Villiers Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Ek veg teen die donker
Maak kapsie teen die nag
Al is die duister groter
As wat 'n kers verwag

My enkel vlam is sterker
As al die donker saam
My lig brand soveel blinker

As wat 'n kers betaan

Ek stuur my lig die donker in
Dis al wat ek kan gee
Al maak dit net 'n klein verskil
Word die duisternis verleë

Al is ek onbenullig
Bly ek altyd deur bewus
Dat die ewigheid se nagte
Veg om die vlam te blus

Ek is 'n bietjie soos die liefde
My lig bly altyd lig
Alles is al die donker ook hoe donker
'n Kersvlam ken sy plig

Ja, ek is 'n bietjie soos die liefde
Dis moeilik om te peil
Hoe jy by iets so broos en kwesbaar
Teen die donkerte kan skuil

Want teen middernag, die diepste uur
Brand my lig oneindig helder
Ek wis die spoor van donker uit
Hier in die nag se kelder

As alles om jou stil word
En jy jou spoke kan gewaar
As middernag jou dalk bekruip
Is 'n kerslig steeds daar

Ek is 'n bietjie soos die liefde
My lig bly altyd lig
Alles is al die donker ook hoe donker
'n Kersvlam ken sy plig

Ja, ek is 'n bietjie soos die liefde
Dis moeilik om te peil

Hoe jy by iets so broos en kwesbaar
Teen die donkerte kan skuil

Overall Meaning

Coenie De Villiers's song "Die Kers" (The Candle) is a powerful and deeply moving expression of the human spirit, fighting against the darkness of the world around us. Through the metaphor of a candle's flame, the song explores the ways in which we can each become a beacon of light in a world that is often cruel and cold. The lyrics stress the importance of holding onto our own light, no matter how small it may seem, and the impact that this can have on those around us.

The opening stanza sets the tone for the entire song, with the singer declaring that they are "fighting against the dark" and "making a stand against the night". Despite the darkness around them, they are determined to let their light shine through, and are confident that their single candle flame is strong enough to overcome even the darkest of nights. As the song progresses, the singer reflects on the fragility of life and the importance of holding onto the things that matter most. They see themselves as a little like a candle, flickering in the darkness but always burning brightly.

The chorus, which repeats several times throughout the song, really drives home the message of "Die Kers". Here, the singer asserts that they are "a little like love", and that just as a candle's flame burns brightly even in the darkest of times, so too can love shine through even when all hope seems lost. Ultimately, the song is a celebration of the human spirit, and a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope and light to be found.

Line by Line Meaning

Ek veg teen die donker
I am fighting against the darkness

Maak kapsie teen die nag
I am covering up against the night

Al is die duister groter
Even if the darkness is greater

As wat 'n kers verwag
Than what a candle would expect

My enkel vlam is sterker
My single flame is stronger

As al die donker saam
Than all the darkness combined

My lig brand soveel blinker
My light burns much brighter

As wat 'n kers betaan
Than any candle could handle

Ek stuur my lig die donker in
I send my light into the darkness

Dis al wat ek kan gee
It is all I can give

Al maak dit net 'n klein verskil
Even if it only makes a small difference