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.
Foto's Uit My Album
Coenie De Villiers Lyrics
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In sy baaibroek by die see
Die landskap is in sepia
Daar's branders om sy knieë
Hier is hy vyf-en-twintig
Langs ‘n tenk in die woenstyn
Waar jong soldate oud word
Hier sit hy langs die venster
Hy was sestig daardie jaar
Sy verslae oë dof
Want herinnering weeg swaar
En ek kan jy wel vra
Het ek ooit vermoed dat pa en al die skimme van weleer
Vir my ‘n les kom leer, en tog
Hoe langer ek bly soek deur die blaaie van my boek, hoe harder hoor ek elke stem
Wat die tyd se gang wil rem en sê
Dis kosbaar deur die dag te verkwis my seun
Gaan die tyd verlore
Hier is my ma maar agtien
‘n Omgerepte debutant
Daar is blomme in haar hare
En haar siel nog onverpant
Hier wys die eerste plooitjies
Om haar teleurgestelde mond
Sy is sewe maande swanger
En my lyf maak hare rond
Hier pluk sy aronskelke
Die dag was koud, die herfs was vroeg
En as jy mooi kyk sal jy sien
Haar rug is krom, haar oë is moeg
En ek kan jy wel vra
Het ek ooit vermoed dat ma en al die skimme van weleer
Vir my ‘n les kom leer en tog
Hoe langer ek bly soek deur die blaaie van my boek, hoe harder hoor ek elke stem
Wat die tyd se gang wil rem en sê
Dis kosbaar deur die dag te verkwis my seun
Gaan die tyd verlore
The song "Foto's Uit My Album" by Coenie De Villiers is an emotional and reflective piece about the power of memories and the passage of time. Through the lyrics, Coenie shares personal moments from his family's history through old photographs that he has collected in his album. The song begins with a photo of his father at the age of twenty, wearing his bathing suit by the sea. The image is sepia-toned and the waves are crashing at his feet. As the song progresses, more photos are unveiled, each capturing important and poignant moments in his parents' lives.
The lyrics reveal a deep connection between the past and the present as Coenie reflects on the lessons he has learned from his family's history. He realizes that through these old photographs, his family's legacy and stories are kept alive. Coenie recognizes the value of remembering and cherishing these memories and acknowledges the importance of living in the present and not letting time pass us by. He encourages us to take a moment, to slow down, and to appreciate the beauty in everyday life.
Overall, "Foto's Uit My Album" is a powerful and moving tribute to family, the passage of time, and the enduring nature of memories.
Line by Line Meaning
Hier is my pa op twintig
Here is my father at twenty
In sy baaibroek by die see
In his swimsuit by the sea
Die landskap is in sepia
The landscape is in sepia
Daar's branders om sy knieë
There are waves at his knees
Hier is hy vyf-en-twintig
Here he is at twenty-five
Langs ‘n tenk in die woenstyn
Next to a tank in the desert
Waar jong soldate oud word
Where young soldiers grow old
En leer van dood en pyn
And learn about death and pain
Hier sit hy langs die venster
Here he sits by the window
Hy was sestig daardie jaar
He was sixty that year
Sy verslae oë dof
His tired eyes are dull
Want herinnering weeg swaar
Because memories weigh heavy
En ek kan jy wel vra
And I can ask you
Het ek ooit vermoed dat pa en al die skimme van weleer
Did I ever suspect that father and all the shadows of the past
Vir my ‘n les kom leer, en tog
Came to teach me a lesson, and yet
Hoe langer ek bly soek deur die blaaie van my boek, hoe harder hoor ek elke stem
The longer I search through the pages of my book, the louder I hear each voice
Wat die tyd se gang wil rem en sê
That wants to slow down and say what time passes too quickly
Dis kosbaar deur die dag te verkwis my seun
It's precious to waste the day, my son
Gaan die tyd verlore
Time will be lost
Hier is my ma maar agtien
Here is my mother at only eighteen
‘n Omgerepte debutant
An untouched debutante
Daar is blomme in haar hare
There are flowers in her hair
En haar siel nog onverpant
And her soul still unmortgaged
Hier wys die eerste plooitjies
Here the first wrinkles show
Om haar teleurgestelde mond
Around her disappointed mouth
Sy is sewe maande swanger
She is seven months pregnant
En my lyf maak hare rond
And my body makes hers round
Hier pluk sy aronskelke
Here she picks arum lilies
Die dag was koud, die herfs was vroeg
The day was cold, the autumn was early
En as jy mooi kyk sal jy sien
And if you look closely you will see
Haar rug is krom, haar oë is moeg
Her back is bent, her eyes are tired
Dis kosbaar deur die dag te verkwis my seun
It's precious to waste the day, my son
Gaan die tyd verlore
Time will be lost
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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