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 Laaste Maal
Coenie De Villiers Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Daar klop iemand aan die deur
Hy's hier om U te dank
Hy's moeg van al die reis
Hy's blind en hy's mank

Hy't reeds sy plek verbeur
Aan die tafel wat U dek
Maar ek klop tog aan die deur

Want jy hoop daar is nog plek

Die sleurstroom van die lewe
Word oplaas vir hom te veel
Heer, is dit te veel gevra dat U die brood sal deel?

Ek is daardie reisiger
Wat op U drumpel wag
Voor my is die deur gesluit en agter my is nag

Ek weet nie meer waarheen nie
My kompas is rigting kwyt
Ek sal verstaan as U my wegwys
My oor die kronkelpad verwyt

Vergeef my ongeloof
En my gebrek aan hoop
As U dalk die tafel dek
Hou asseblief vir my ook plek

Jy sien ek sukkel om te glo
Maar wat bly eintlik oor?
As ek hierdie laaste avondmaal vir oulaas moet verloor

Ek is daardie reisiger

Wat op U drumpel wag
Voor my is die deur gesluit en agter my is nag

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Coenie De Villiers's song "Die Laaste Maal" paint a poignant and introspective picture of a traveler at the end of their journey, knocking on the door to express gratitude and seek solace. The opening verse describes this weary traveler who is blind and crippled, showing signs of a difficult and arduous journey. Despite having forfeited his place at the table, he still knocks on the door with a flicker of hope for a place to rest and be welcomed.

The singer of the song portrays a deep sense of weariness and fatigue from the trials of life's struggles, questioning whether it is too much to ask for God to share his bread. This plea for sustenance and comfort reflects a universal longing for divine intervention and support in times of hardship. It delves into themes of faith and the human condition, emphasizing the need for guidance and reassurance in the face of uncertainty and despair.

The traveler's metaphorical journey is paralleled with spiritual and emotional turmoil, as he waits on the threshold, feeling lost and abandoned in the darkness behind him. The imagery of the closed door and the night symbolize his isolation and inner turmoil, highlighting his yearning for a guiding light and a sense of direction amid confusion and doubt.

As the traveler grapples with doubt and uncertainty, he seeks forgiveness for his lack of faith and hope, acknowledging his struggles to believe in the divine plan. The poignant plea for a place at the table during the Last Supper serves as a metaphor for acceptance and redemption, underscoring the universal human desire for belonging and grace in the face of life's challenges. The song captures the vulnerability and raw emotions of the traveler, ultimately reflecting a universal theme of seeking solace and spiritual renewal in times of darkness and doubt.

Line by Line Meaning

Daar klop iemand aan die deur
A visitor knocks at the door

Hy's hier om U te dank
He is here to thank You

Hy's moeg van al die reis
He is tired from all the journey

Hy's blind en hy's mank
He is blind and he is lame

Hy't reeds sy plek verbeur
He has already lost his place

Aan die tafel wat U dek
At the table You prepare

Maar ek klop tog aan die deur
But I still knock at the door

Want jy hoop daar is nog plek
Because you hope there is still room

Die sleurstroom van die lewe
The drag of life

Word oplaas vir hom te veel
Becomes too much for him

Heer, is dit te veel gevra dat U die brood sal deel?
Lord, is it too much to ask that You share the bread?