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.

Engel
Coenie De Villiers Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

As ek laataand terugkeer huis toe
Loop daar 'n engel voor my uit
Hy ken my hart se kronkels
En my dag se bitter buit
Hy luister na my voetval
Wat deur die strate klink
En telkens as ek struikel
Sal hy my huis toe wink

Hy bewaar my teen die onheil
En troos my teen die pyn
Tot hy saggies skuins voor dagbreek
In die dagluimer verdwyn
Maar klokslag teen die skemer
Hoor ek hom fluister voor die deur
"Kom, laat my jou beskerm,
teen wat snags met mens gebeur..."

Hy't 'n jas wat blink soos maanlig
Op die water van 'n meer
En vlerke wyd en witter
As 'n albatros se veer
Ek is dus nooit alleen nie
Al is my deur gegrendel
Teen die wêreld en teen mense
Wat om my woning wentel

Hy bewaar my teen die onheil
En troos my teen die pyn
Tot hy saggies skuins voor dagbreek
In die dagluimer verdwyn
Maar klokslag teen die skemer
Hoor ek hom fluister voor die deur

"Kom, laat my jou beskerm,
teen wat snags met mens gebeur..."

Overall Meaning

The song "Engel" by Coenie De Villiers is a beautiful tribute to a guardian angel who walks ahead of the singer as he walks home late at night. The angel is not just a protector against physical harm, but also a comforter against emotional pain. The lyrics describe the angel's intimate knowledge of the singer's heart, his struggles, and his sorrows. Despite the singer's isolation within the safety of his home, the angel's presence outside his door offers a sense of companionship, safety, and hope.

The imagery used in "Engel" is rich and evocative, conjuring up a vision of an otherworldly, celestial being. The angel's shining coat and luminous wings, which are compared to the iridescent feathers of an albatross, create an ethereal backdrop that lends the song a dreamy, mystical quality. De Villiers' voice is smooth and contemplative, imbuing the track with a sense of serenity and acceptance.

Overall, the song is a haunting, poetic meditation on the power of faith to carry us through the darkest times.

Line by Line Meaning

As ek laataand terugkeer huis toe
When I return home late at night

Loop daar 'n engel voor my uit
There is an angel walking ahead of me

Hy ken my hart se kronkels
He knows the twists and turns of my heart

En my dag se bitter buit
And the bitter harvest of my day

Hy luister na my voetval
He listens to my footsteps

Wat deur die strate klink
Echoing through the streets

En telkens as ek struikel
And every time I stumble

Sal hy my huis toe wink
He will wave me home

Hy bewaar my teen die onheil
He guards me against misfortune

En troos my teen die pyn
And comforts me through pain