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.
Kaddisj
Coenie De Villiers Lyrics
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As sy nie meer kan lag nie, of haar oumenshande brei nie
Sy nie meer die Sabbat met haar blinde oë berei nie
Sy was ook eenmaal jonk, dis waar en iemand in die dorp het haar
Leer liefkry, en haar soene was die voorwinter-lemoene
Uit die boorde van die berg, 'n bietjie skugter, maar reeds soet
Ja, so word sy 'n ryp granaat, die donker vrug met bloedrooi saad
So gedy die adamsvy, nou wyser, maar nog soet
Seisoene kantel een vir een en skielik was sy weer alleen
Die luike bly geslote en die wingerd het sy lote
Om die silwerblaar-olyf laat rank, ja, tyd maak tog die vrugte vrank
Sal iemand, iewers, êrens tog 'n kaddisj aan haar opdra
Want die winters was te stroef en om nog langer te vertoef
Is veels te ver verby haar jeug, sy sal nie nog 'n jaargang deug nie, dus
Sal iemand, iewers, êrens tog 'n kaddisj aan haar opdra
As sy nie meer kan lag nie of haar oumenshande brei nie
As sy nie meer die Sabbat met haar blinde oë berei nie
The lyrics to Coenie De Villiers's song "Kaddisj" tell the story of an unnamed woman who is growing old and facing the end of her life. The song suggests that someone should perform the Jewish prayer known as the Kaddish for her, as she may soon no longer be able to take care of herself. The woman's life is described in three stages: her youth, when she was in love and her kisses tasted like winter lemons; her middle years, when she was mature - like a ripe pomegranate - and wise, but still sweet; and her old age, when she is alone and struggling. The song conveys a sense of melancholy and loss, as well as a reverence for the passage of time and the end of life.
At its heart, "Kaddisj" is a song about the cyclical nature of life, and the inevitability of death. The woman in the song is depicted as having lived a full life, with all of its joys and sorrows. Now, as she faces the end of her journey, she is in need of someone to perform the Kaddish prayer for her - a ritual that is traditionally used to mourn the dead - and to honor her memory. The song is a meditation on the passage of time, and the way that life is marked by change and transformation.
Line by Line Meaning
Sal iemand, iewers, êrens, tog 'n kaddisj aan haar opdra
Will someone, somewhere, please recite a Kaddish for her
As sy nie meer kan lag nie, of haar oumenshande brei nie
If she cannot laugh anymore or knit with her aging hands
Sy nie meer die Sabbat met haar blinde oë berei nie
If she can no longer prepare for the Sabbath with her blind eyes
Sy was ook eenmaal jonk, dis waar en iemand in die dorp het haar
She was once young, it's true, and someone in the town taught her
Leer liefkry, en haar soene was die voorwinter-lemoene
Taught her to love, and her kisses were as sweet as early winter lemons
Uit die boorde van die berg, 'n bietjie skugter, maar reeds soet
From the orchards on the slopes of the mountain, a little shy but already sweet
En so is sy dan teobetrou en skielik was die kind 'n vrou
And so she becomes dependable and suddenly the child was a woman
Ja, so word sy 'n ryp granaat, die donker vrug met bloedrooi saad
Yes, she becomes a ripe pomegranate, the dark fruit with blood-red seeds
So gedy die adamsvy, nou wyser, maar nog soet
Thus does the fig tree thrive, now wiser but still sweet
Seisoene kantel een vir een en skielik was sy weer alleen
Seasons pass one by one and suddenly she was alone again
Die luike bly geslote en die wingerd het sy lote
The shutters remain closed and she had to prune the vines herself
Om die silwerblaar-olyf laat rank, ja, tyd maak tog die vrugte vrank
Around the silver-leaved olive she let the vine grow, yes, time makes the fruits more tangy
Want die winters was te stroef en om nog langer te vertoef
Because the winters were too harsh and to stay any longer
Is veels te ver verby haar jeug, sy sal nie nog 'n jaargang deug nie, dus
Is far beyond her youth, she will not be of use for another vintage, so
Sal iemand, iewers, êrens tog 'n kaddisj aan haar opdra
Will someone, somewhere, please recite a Kaddish for her
As sy nie meer kan lag nie of haar oumenshande brei nie
If she cannot laugh anymore or knit with her aging hands
As sy nie meer die Sabbat met haar blinde oë berei nie
If she can no longer prepare for the Sabbath with her blind eyes
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind