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.

Kaneelverkoper
Coenie De Villiers Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Bedags vind jy my in die mark lands die turkoois minaret
en in die koelte van my tent hoor ek die aandgebed

Ja, ek dryf handel met kaneel
ek verkoop die spesery
wat vroue agter sluiers, selfs die sultan my beny

(koor)

Maar saans maak ek die tentflap toe
en my lyf ruik na kaneel;
Jy kan dit aan my vingers proe
en dit alles word jou deel;
want as jy smorêns vroeg, my lief
in die donker teen my beur,
word die goue poeier afgevryf
en kry jou lyf my geur;
In die nate van jou hande
lê die spesery se spoor
Jy ruik - soos ek - ook na kaneel;
hoe kan ek jou verloor?
Ek sal jou orals ken, my lief -
hoe kan ek jou verloor?

Ek gaan haal dit aan die oosterkim
van waar my bruin kameel
'n vrag van duisend geure dra
wat elk ruik soos kaneel

Die kleure van Arabië
die oop woestyn se geel -
vul al die mandjies in my tent -
en elk bevat kaneel

(koor)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Coenie De Villiers's song Kaneelverkoper paint the picture of a spice merchant in a Middle Eastern market. The singer describes himself as being found in the market, near a turquois minaret, and hearing the evening prayer. He sells cinnamon, a spice that is coveted even by veiled women and the sultan, suggesting that it is a valuable and exotic commodity.

The chorus describes how the singer closes up his tent at night, leaving the scent of cinnamon on his body. He tempts his lover with the promise that if she wakes up early in the morning and comes to him in the dark, she will see the golden powder of the cinnamon on his skin and smell it on him. They will both carry the scent of cinnamon. Finally, the merchant promises that he will always be able to recognize his lover because she will smell like cinnamon - a unique characteristic that cannot be duplicated.

This song tells a story of love and spice, taking the listeners on a journey to an exotic location. The use of cinnamon in the lyrics adds a sensuous layer to the story, and the fact that it is a valuable item in this market adds to its appeal. This song is a beautiful example of how music can evoke emotions and transport us to another place and time.

Line by Line Meaning

Bedags vind jy my in die mark lands die turkoois minaret
During the day, you can find me in the market near the turquoise minaret

en in die koelte van my tent hoor ek die aandgebed
And in the coolness of my tent, I hear the evening prayer

Ja, ek dryf handel met kaneel
Yes, I trade in cinnamon

ek verkoop die spesery
I sell the spice

wat vroue agter sluiers, selfs die sultan my beny
That even women behind veils, and even the sultan envy me for

(koor)
Chorus

Maar saans maak ek die tentflap toe
But at night, I close the tent flap

en my lyf ruik na kaneel;
And my body smells like cinnamon

Jy kan dit aan my vingers proe
You can taste it on my fingers

en dit alles word jou deel;
And it can all be yours

want as jy smorêns vroeg, my lief
Because if you come to me early in the morning, my love