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.
Donkerlig
Coenie De Villiers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
lê net die kreukels in my laken
en ek met aktetas bewapen
erken die weerkaatsing van my oë se pyn
in die ruitglas van 'n voorsteed'like trein
my vriend jy wat dink die donker bedrieg
kom laat ek jou wys hoe die lig kan lieg
die lig kan lieg
want niemand is veilig teen die tyd nie
sy bitter wraak sy wredenheid nie
glo wat jy wil maar hoor wat ek sê
jou lewe se loop word bepaal deur hoe die dobbelsteen
deur hoe die dobbelsteen lê
want dis 'n mite
dat een mens ooit 'n ander mens kan aanhou
die wiel sal eendag kantel
in die guns van die man
wat kon weet waar die waarheid lê
wat die teendeel kon glo
en verwerk wat die wetboek sê
my vriend jy wat dink die donker bedrieg
kom laat ek jou wys hoe die lig kan lieg
die lig kan lieg
want niemand is veilig teen die tyd nie
sy bitter wraak sy wredenheid nie
glo wat jy wil maar hoor wat ek sê
jou lewe se loop word bepaal deur hoe die dobbelsteen
deur hoe die dobbelsteen lê
The lyrics to Coenie De Villiers's song "Donkerlig" is a reflection on the uncertainty of life and how one's fate is determined by chance. The song opens with the singer lying in bed with creases in his sheets and feeling the pain reflected in his eyes. He's armed with his briefcase and looking out the window of a suburban train. The singer goes on to explain that the darkness deceives us, and that we need to be wary of the light's lies. The lyrics comment on the unpredictability of life and the ever-looming threat of bitter revenge and cruelty which no one is safe from. He warns the listener to pay attention to the way the dice falls and how it can determine one's life.
The song suggests that the turning of the wheel of fate is something that no one can control. The fickle hands of chance can easily turn away from us and in favor of those who know where the truth lies. The lyrics suggest that the rules and laws that we follow religiously are easily discarded by those in power. It's a reminder that even in the darkness, not everything may appear as it seems. The song is a commentary on life and how we can't ever truly prepare for what may befall us.
Line by Line Meaning
en teen die môre
At dawn
lê net die kreukels in my laken
Only the wrinkles in my sheets remain
en ek met aktetas bewapen
And I, armed with a briefcase
erken die weerkaatsing van my oë se pyn
Acknowledge the reflection of my eyes' pain
in die ruitglas van 'n voorsteed'like trein
In the window of a suburban train
my vriend jy wat dink die donker bedrieg
My friend, who thinks the darkness deceives
kom laat ek jou wys hoe die lig kan lieg
Come, let me show you how the light can deceive
die lig kan lieg
The light can deceive
want niemand is veilig teen die tyd nie
Because no one is safe from time
sy bitter wraak sy wredenheid nie
Its bitter revenge, its cruelty
glo wat jy wil maar hoor wat ek sê
Believe what you want, but hear what I say
jou lewe se loop word bepaal deur hoe die dobbelsteen
The course of your life is determined by how the dice fall
deur hoe die dobbelsteen lê
By how the dice fall
want dis 'n mite
Because it's a myth
dat een mens ooit 'n ander mens kan aanhou
That one person can ever hold onto another
die wiel sal eendag kantel
The wheel will one day turn
in die guns van die man
In favor of the man
wat kon weet waar die waarheid lê
Who knew where the truth lay
wat die teendeel kon glo
Who could believe the opposite
en verwerk wat die wetboek sê
And process what the law says
my vriend jy wat dink die donker bedrieg
My friend, who thinks the darkness deceives
kom laat ek jou wys hoe die lig kan lieg
Come, let me show you how the light can deceive
die lig kan lieg
The light can deceive
want niemand is veilig teen die tyd nie
Because no one is safe from time
sy bitter wraak sy wredenheid nie
Its bitter revenge, its cruelty
glo wat jy wil maar hoor wat ek sê
Believe what you want, but hear what I say
jou lewe se loop word bepaal deur hoe die dobbelsteen
The course of your life is determined by how the dice fall
deur hoe die dobbelsteen lê
By how the dice fall
Contributed by Caleb O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.