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.
Katedraal
Coenie De Villiers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Geen relief of skildery, geen
Kandelaar wat hoog moet hang nie
Almal kan hier toegang kry
Want my koepel is die hemel
Hoog genoeg vir al die sterre
Breed genoeg vir die planete
Hier sal jy vrede
Hier sal jy rus by my
Kom kry
In my kerk is daar geen mure
Wat 'n horison beperk nie
Daar's geen deure en geen slot nie
Geen register om te merk nie
Want die berge is die suile
Waar die arende kan skuil hou
Ja, die vlaktes is vloere
Hier sal jy stilte
Hier sal jy vrede
Hier sal jy rus by my
Kom kry
In my kerk is daar geen vensters
Wat met brandglas kleure blink, geen
Nagmaal-brood wat jy moet breek of
Wyn wat iemand nog moet skink nie
Want in my kerk sien jy die kleure
In die skemer as die son sak
En die laaste wolke saampak
Hier sal jy stilte
Hier sal jy vrede
Hier sal jy rus by my
Kom kry
In my kerk is daar geen koor of
Orrel wat die rus verstoor nie
Hier vra niemand vir jou geld nie
As jy bieg sal niemand hoor nie
Want die storms is perkussie
En die wind wat nooit wil rus nie
Maak musiek met al die bome
Hier sal jy stilte
Hier sal jy vrede
Hier sal jy rus by my
Kom kry
Coenie De Villiers's song "Katedraal" describes a spiritual space, a church without walls or a roof, where anyone can find peace and rest. The absence of physical elements usually found in a place of worship, such as artwork, stained glass, choir, or organ, highlights the natural surroundings as an equally powerful sanctuary. The dome of the sky becomes the cathedral's highest point, vast enough to house all the stars and planets. The mountains and plains are its columns, and the eagles and trees are its ornaments. The space doesn't require any offerings or confessions, but only an open heart and willingness to embrace the stillness and beauty of nature.
The song's lyrics are a celebration of a universal, divine presence that transcends human-made constructs and opens up to all. It suggests that a spiritual connection doesn't require any doctrinal beliefs or formal rituals but can be a personal, direct experience of the majesty and wonder of the world. By using nature as the backdrop of a church, the song also points to the interconnectedness of all beings and elevates the natural world to a sacred status.
Line by Line Meaning
In my kerk is daar geen dak nie
My church has no roof to limit or restrict anyone from entering.
Geen relief of skildery, geen
There are no paintings or sculptures on its walls.
Kandelaar wat hoog moet hang nie
No one needs to light a candle or hold it high to see, for the dome of my church is the sky.
Almal kan hier toegang kry
Everyone is welcome here, for there is no door that closes or restricts access.
Want my koepel is die hemel
The dome of my church is the sky, vast enough to hold all the stars and planets.
Hoog genoeg vir al die sterre
The sky is high enough to hold all the stars that shine upon us.
Breed genoeg vir die planete
It is also wide enough to encompass all the planets that move in the universe.
Hier sal jy stilte
Here you will find a place of silence.
Hier sal jy vrede
It is a place of peace.
Hier sal jy rus by my
Come here to rest with me.
Kom kry
Come and see for yourself.
In my kerk is daar geen mure
My church has no walls to demarcate, no walls that confine.
Wat 'n horison beperk nie
The horizon defines it, is its limit.
Daar's geen deure en geen slot nie
There are no doors, no locks that bar one's entry or exit.
Geen register om te merk nie
There is no register to sign, no one to keep count of your presence.
Want die berge is die suile
The mountains provide the pillars, the strong foundation for my church.
Waar die arende kan skuil hou
Eagles can find refuge here, as they are free to fly high above them.
Ja, die vlaktes is vloere
The flatlands provide the floors, where one can walk unfettered.
In my kerk is daar geen vensters
My church has no windows with stained glass to show colors and shades.
Wat met brandglas kleure blink, geen
No one needs to break bread or pour wine, for my church shows colors as the sun sets and the clouds gather.
Nagmaal-brood wat jy moet breek of
No one needs to partake in communion and break bread or drink wine.
Wyn wat iemand nog moet skink nie
No one needs to pour wine for you, for my church is not manmade.
Want in my kerk sien jy die kleure
In my church, you see colors as the sun sets, and you witness the sky's amazing splendor.
In die skemer as die son sak
You feel the essence of the sky's pristine beauty as the sun sets.
En die laaste wolke saampak
And the clouds gather, indicating the end of another day.
In my kerk is daar geen koor of
My church has no choir to sing and no organ playing to disturb the silence.
Orrel wat die rus verstoor nie
It is a sacred place, where no one will ask you questions about your wealth or charge you for absolution.
Hier vra niemand vir jou geld nie
My church combines forces with the forces of nature, and the winds and thunder are its percussion.
As jy bieg sal niemand hoor nie
When someone confesses their sins, there is no one present to hear.
Want die storms is perkussie
The storms provide the instrument for the percussion section.
En die wind wat nooit wil rus nie
The wind that never stops blows, and it acts as the music that fills your soul.
Maak musiek met al die bome
All the trees sway to the rhythm of the wind, joining in like a chorus.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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